S Poddar
It was rumored that Bruno Mars, in the grip of alleged high-rolling games with a whooping $50 million debt accumulated by gambling, would be attributed to MGM Resorts-a global casino operator running 31 venues globally. The chart-topper for the hits “Locked Out of Heaven” and “The Lazy Song” had, through his social media channels, finally countered such claims.
Mars has not disappointed fans in terms of his music career; in fact, he has been dropping hits upon hits. From his latest, “Die With A Smile,” he collaborates with the one and only Lady Gaga; it debuts at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. He also delivers a string of hits with Blackpink’s Rosé with “APT,” which has spent weeks in the top ten on the chart.
The one and only Mars—born Peter Gene Hernandez—has also made headlines by dropping a provocative new track, “Fat Juicy & Wet,” alongside Sexyy Red. Already being compared to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” in terms of its explicit content, if you want to know what the lyrics are saying, good luck finding out because an online search tells you everything you need to know.
Despite all the rumors, Mars has only just marked an incredible feat on Spotify. As of January 27, he became the first artist in the history of the platform to surpass 150 million monthly listeners—a record-breaking achievement. He celebrated the moment on his Instagram Story, writing: “KEEP STREAMING! I’ll be out of debt in no time.” The comment seems to be more of a sarcasm on his part to tease the continuous spread of rumors; it has actually been used to further discuss the claims of financial problems he might be facing. MGM has dismissed the report and claimed Mars owes them nothing.
An MGM representative has previously said to UNILAD: “We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers. From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.” Mars joked about his purported financial woes with this not being the first time. Last year, after “Die With A Smile” rose to fame, he posted a funny reel on Instagram, where he referenced a BuzzFeed article playfully suggesting Lady Gaga was headed to rescue him from debt.
Reports about Mars’ alleged gambling habits date back several years. Almost a decade ago, he signed a long-term deal with MGM Resorts, which guaranteed performances at various MGM venues, including Park Theater at Monte Carlo in Las Vegas and The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. This partnership has allowed him to perform to sold-out crowds and maintain a significant presence on the Vegas entertainment scene.
Continuing his residency in Las Vegas, Mars is scheduled to perform seven shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM later this year. His scheduled performances will be from May 21-31, with another show on June 2. Fans eager to secure their spots can access pre-sale tickets starting today, January 29, while general release tickets will be available on Friday.
While the news about Mars owing a $50 million debt remains an ongoing rumor, the weight of evidence—and even his sense of humor about the whole issue—speaks against it. Record-breaking streaming and a partnership with MGM don’t indicate any signs of him being in debt, but instead flourishing. From music to performances or headlines, Bruno Mars just doesn’t stop taking the world by storm.
