MGM denies reports of Mars’ debt
MGM Resorts says its relationship with Bruno Mars is one of “mutual respect” and “Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.”
Issued Monday, the statement answers a report Friday from media website Newsnation that the Park MGM headliner has rolled up gambling debts in the tens of millions of dollars. Citing an unidentified source, the publication alleged Mars had debts as high as $50 million from table games.
Responding to a request for comment, an MGM Resorts International rep emailed the statement:
“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. … Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
The Newsnation report went on to say Mars continues to perform his residency production at Dolby Live to pay down debt. The unconfirmed numbers are Mars makes $1.5 million a night, $60 million a year after taxes. As a result, the source is quoted in the pub, “(MGM) basically own him.”
Even if those numbers were accurate, Mars’ losses would be lower by at least $10 million than he is paid for his Dolby Live residency.
The 38-year-old superstar and the resort company recently entered into a long-running partnership with The Pinky Ring at Bellagio. Mars has appeared several times at the club, which opened Feb. 10. His backing band, The Hooligans, performs at the club.
A person familiar with Mars’ residency said of the report, “That whole thing is such BS.”
The “Uptown Funk” singer is known to play mostly at Aria and Bellagio, not at Park MGM.
Mars’ stage show debuted in December 2016, and his residency has been repeatedly extended. The show is largely unchanged from its launch, though Mars has enforced a “pouched” phone policy since 2018. In that time, rumors of his gaming activity have seeped out of the hotel, cresting with the Newsnation report and MGM’S firm denial.
One piece of information imparted in the story was a rumored feud between Mars and Anderson .Paak, who performed the sold-out Silk Sonic series at Dolby Live.
The 47 dates ran from 202223. The story indicates the problems were because .Paak felt he was underpaid, but the two have made up.
The reporting lists May dates for Silk Sonic at Dolby Live, but the act is not on the venue’s ticket schedule. A rep reiterated there are no performance dates at Park MGM for the act.
Celine posts
Saying that her battle against Stiff Person Syndrome “has been one of the hardest experiences of my life,” Celine Dion posted a message on social media recognizing March 15 as International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day.
Dion is shown in a photo with her sons, René-charles, Nelson and Eddy Angélil on a platform for the go-kart racing organization K1 Speed.
Dion announced in December 2022 that she suffered from the rare autoimmune disorder. She has been unable to return to performing, rescheduling her postponed dates at Resorts World Theatre or in her international “Courage” tour.
Dion has recently made public appearances, presenting the Grammy for Album of the Year to Taylor Swift last month in L.A. She has also attended a pair of Vegas Golden Knights games, one when the Montreal Canadiens were in town last November and the other when the Edmonton Oilers visited the week after the Grammys.
Dion expressed optimism in her Instagram post.
“… I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible,” she wrote. “I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you.”
‘Jealousy’ revival
It’s at once a “New Miserable Experience” and a trip to the ’90s at the International Theater this summer.
Gin Blossoms are booked July 6 at the Westgate’s famous venue, going on sale 10 a.m. Friday (go to Ticketmaster.com, westgatelasvegas.com or Westgate’s WOW Rewards Center to purchase). Veteran rock promoter Danny Zelisko has booked the show.
The alt-rock band out of Tempe, Ariz. broke in 1992 with the above-referenced album. The lead single, “Hey Jealousy,” reached No. 25 on the Billboard singles charts. “Allison Road” and “Until
I Fall Away” were also hit singles.
The follow up to “New Miserable Experience,” 1996’s “Congratulations I’m Sorry,” went platinum (1 million copies sold), with the song “As Long as It Matters” nominated for a Grammy, and “Follow You Down” reaching the top 10.
The band still tours annually, co-headlining with bands of their era such as Collective Soul, Barenaked Ladies and Hootie & The Blowfish. They most recently played Backyard Amphitheater at Green Valley Ranch Resort in April 2022.
Cool Hang Alert
Amp’d at M Resort mainstay Latin Breeze returns to the venue 8 p.m.-midnight Friday. The nine-piece band gets the crowd up for Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Mambo and Bolero grooving. No cover. Bring your dancing shoes.