As one third of songwriting trio the Smeezingtons, Bruno Mars scored two major hits with B.O.B’s “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire.” In 2010, the native Hawaiian found success as a singer-songwriter when he released his debut album, Doo Wops & Hooligans. In less than two decades, Mars (born Peter Hernandez) has nabbed 15 Grammy Awards. He has also sold more than 130 million records worldwide. Last year, reports surfaced that the “Uptown Funk” crooner had racked up a staggering amount of gambling debt to MGM Resorts. Although MGM has denied those rumors, Mars just couldn’t resist poking fun at them as he celebrated a major accomplishment.
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“I’ll Be Out Of Debt In No Time”
Bruno Mars made Spotify history Monday (Jan. 27) as the first artist to reach 150 million monthly listeners on the global streaming platform..Between his chart-topping Lady Gaga collab “Die With a Smile” and “APT,” a duet with Blackpink’s Rosé, the 39-year-old is currently the platform’s top-streaming artist.
[RELATED: Bruno Mars Regrets the One That Got Away on “When I Was Your Man”]
Mars celebrated the accomplishment Tuesday (Jan. 28) with a cheeky post to his Instagram stories. “KEEP STREAMING! I’ll be out of debt in no time,” the “24K Magic” singer wrote.
It wasn’t the first time Mars mocked the rumors about his supposed gambling debt. “Ever since those articles came out about me owing the casino money you stopped picking up my calls,” he joked during a performance last year. “It’s me, baby — I got money.”
Bruno Mars jokes about the rumors of him being in casino debt.
— Rap Alert (@rapalert6) September 9, 2024
“Ever since those articles came out about me owing the casino money you stopped picking up my calls… It’s me baby I got money.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/aWQyd5CGhq
NewsNation reported in March 2024 that the “Grenade” singer owed MGM up to $50 million in gambling debts. “He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt… after taxes,” a Vegas insider reportedly told the outlet.
Bruno Mars Announces 2025 MGM Dates
Bruno Mars is extending his residency with MGM Resorts for a ninth year. The “Locked Out Of Heaven” singer has announced a series of residency shows beginning May 21 and ending June 2 at the Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
MGM has gone on record denying the gambling debt claims. “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect,” a spokesperson told Variety in March 2024. “Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.”
Featured image by Rmv/Shutterstock
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