Bruno Mars Makes Cheeky Joke About Rumored $50 Million Gambling Debt

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Bruno Mars isn’t above trolling himself online.

Following the unexpected stage appearance alongside Blackpink during their Deadline World Tour show in Los Angeles on July 13, where he collaborated with group member Rosé on their duet “Apt.,”, he humorously referenced an old online speculation regarding his financial status on social media.

He exclaimed on Instagram, almost free from debt on July 14, posting a video from his performance. “Thank you so much, Rosaaaaayyyyy!!!” he wrote.’

It seems the caption is hinting at a report from March 2024 suggesting that the individual, aged 39, had amassed an astonishing $50 million in gambling debts at MGM Casinos. This report further suggested that his ongoing partnership with the company, established since 2016, was reportedly being used to counterbalance this debt.

However, MGM Resorts International swiftly clarified that there was no truth to the rumor.

TopMob News was informed that the relationship between MGM and Bruno has been strong and based on mutual admiration for quite some time. Any rumors suggesting otherwise are unfounded; he does not owe any money to MGM.

The hotel chain praised the Grammy winner as one of the globe’s most electrifying and vibrant entertainers, expressing their eagerness to keep crafting memorable moments for our patrons.

In response to the rumor, Bruno himself has often joked about it. As far back as January, he humorously posted on Spotify about being the first artist on their platform to reach 150 million monthly listeners, encouraging his fans to keep playing his tunes.

“KEEP STREAMING,” he wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “I’ll be out of debt in no time.”

To see what more stars have said about their financial situations, keep reading.

Jenna Johnson, the winner of season 33, mentioned that even though there isn’t a monetary reward for winning the mirrorball trophy on Dancing With the Stars, those who make it to the finale are compensated until then. Additionally, she noted that there is also a pleasant bonus involved.

If you emerge victorious in this dance competition, Johnson clarified, it’s not about receiving a large sum of money like a million dollars; instead, you’ll be given an attractive trophy. For those who depart the ballroom early, Johnson explained that they are assured a minimum number of weeks.

It has been reported by various sources that entry-level dancer salaries range between $1,200 and $1,600 per episode, which can escalate to as high as $100,000 during an entire season (ABC has not verified these figures). On the other hand, celebrities begin with a starting salary of $125,000. As they progress deeper into the contest, stars receive additional incentives, with semifinalists and finalists potentially earning extra $50,000.

Jennifer Lawrence, a previous Oscar recipient, was compensated with approximately $25 million to feature in director Adam McKay’s ensemble disaster comedy “Don’t Look Up”. In contrast, her costar and fellow Oscar laureate Leonardo DiCaprio earned $30 million for his role.

In an interview with Vanity Fair for their December 2020/January 2021 issue, Lawrence stated, “Leo earns more at the box office than I do.” She added, “I’m very content with my contract, but I’ve noticed, and many other women in the workforce have too, that it’s awkward to ask for equal pay. If you do challenge something that seems unfair, you’re often told it’s not due to gender bias, but they can’t clarify what else could be causing it.

In my role as a lifestyle expert, I’d share this: My unyielding optimism wasn’t born out of luck; it was forged through battles. When the shocking revelation of the wage disparity between me and my male co-stars in the 2013 film “American Hustle” became public knowledge following the 2014 Sony email leak, it ignited a significant dialogue about the gender pay gap within Hollywood, demonstrating that change is possible.

In 2017, speaking to Channel 4 News in the U.K., I found myself truly grateful for my career. Yet, it’s not wealth that troubles me. I wasn’t disheartened by receiving this amount of money for a film; that would be preposterous. Instead, what filled me with frustration was the blatant unfairness and inequality in our society.

In comparison to Leonardo DiCaprio’s salary, Jonah Hill earned approximately $60,000 (excluding commissions and taxes) for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2013, whereas the film’s main character received a paycheck of $10 million.

Hill remembered on The Howard Stern Show in 2014 that they received the smallest amount of money for the project. However, it was an opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese, which made the Moneyball alum eager to finalize the agreement before anyone else could reconsider.

Hill stated that he’d give away his house and every penny he had to work with Scorsese, as he passionately expressed during his second Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as a nervous, drug-addled stockbroker. He emphasized that such opportunities aren’t about amassing wealth; rather, they’re about pursuing what you care about. If given the chance, he’d do it all over again without hesitation. It’s not about money; it’s about making a difference in projects that matter to you.

Oprah Winfrey happily accepted only a little bit of green to star in 1985’s The Color Purple.

In a conversation with Essence in 2023, the media tycoon shared that they were given $35,000 to be part of a movie, which he considered the most valuable $35,000 he had ever made. He went on to say that this experience transformed his life and taught him countless lessons.

In the 1997 biopic “Selena,” Jennifer Lopez played the role of the late Tejana singer, Selena Quintanilla, marking the first time a Latin actress received $1 million for her performance in a movie.

In an interview with Variety back in 2019, Lopez looked back at her breakout film, admitting she didn’t fully understand the situation at the time. “I was still quite young and naive,” she said, “It was impressive that they offered me a million dollars. It seemed like everyone was making some sort of bold statement.

Her success opened up opportunities for her to earn hundreds of millions more, even when her involvement didn’t require any expenses.

Lopez stated to GQ in 2019 that he does things primarily out of passion. He didn’t earn a large sum for Hustlers; instead, he did it voluntarily and even produced it himself. Essentially, he relies on his own abilities, similar to the character ‘Jenny From the Block’, as he pursues what he loves.

Adrien Brody didn’t accept the role in “The Brutalist” for monetary reasons. Instead, he portrayed a Hungarian architect struggling with his art in post-WWII America for a salary of $250,000 and was rewarded with his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Brody told Variety, “I’m yearning for a studio film right now, as I’ve invested everything into this,” referring to the castle-like barn he’s been restoring in upstate New York.

Pete Davidson jokingly replied to New York magazine regarding what they pay him, when asked about his spending habits before Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special. He said something along the lines of “Each episode pays around $3,000, so I probably just went out for dinner.

Remarkably, the starting salaries for newcomers on Saturday Night Live have consistently remained in line with those from the show’s early days. For instance, stars such as John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase were reportedly paid $750 per episode in 1975, which is equivalent to approximately $3,300 in 2014, based on the Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator. It’s worth noting that this same amount in 1975 would be roughly $4,428 by 2025.

Initially, Kenan Thompson didn’t earn as much as his current salary of over $3,000 per SNL episode during his first seasons. However, as a past Nickelodeon actor, he had to begin from humble beginnings.

In Demi Lovato’s 2024 documentary “Child Star”, the All That alum recalled, “The very first commercial I did, I earned $800. At 12 years old, to me, that felt like a fortune, almost as if it was a million dollars.

It turns out Gilmore Girls’ status as a beloved rewatchable classic is literally priceless.

Lauren Graham, who portrayed Lorelai Gilmore for seven seasons and later returned to the role for ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ (2016), declared on Jimmy Kimmel Live in March 2025 that there are no residuals on Netflix. However, she mentioned she has been compensated with affection and admiration instead.

Tommy Dorfman expressed her sense of undervalued recognition regarding her earnings from “13 Reasons Why” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. This strike, similar to the WGA strike, was instigated in part because streaming platforms like Netflix do not typically provide extra compensation to cast and crew once a show achieves significant success.

In a post on Threads dated July 24th, Dorfman shared that her earnings from the entire first season of “13 Reasons Why” amounted to $29,953.24 before agency and manager fees (which accounted for 20%) and taxes. She explained that she appeared in 8 episodes over a six-month period. Furthermore, she mentioned that she handled all promotional work and had key artwork for the show. Additionally, she flew back and forth from New York City to San Francisco for each episode shoot, but was kept for extended periods without pay or insurance, barely qualifying for it.

In the initial 28 days after its launch, the show’s first season amassed a grand total of 476 million viewing hours. This is the reason behind our firm stance.

Dax Shepard, during an interview with his podcast guest and former co-star from Parenthood, Lauren Graham, casually mentioned that he was aware he earned one of the smallest salaries among the cast members in the show, which aired for six seasons on NBC.

But, the Armchair Expert host stressed that he did not mind.

He shared that before becoming a parent, every job he had previously held, he always took the initiative to discover what others were earning in that position. He’d either ask directly during a conversation or use indirect methods such as contacting their agent.

He consciously avoided learning details about his ancestral family related to parenthood, which allowed him to enjoy the journey more, even when he occasionally sensed his position within the hierarchy at work.

George Clooney shared with the Los Angeles Times in 2005 that he had to take financial measures to produce his movie, Good Night, and Good Luck. He cashed his own check as director and gave up his acting salary. Co-writer and co-producer Grant Heslov and I each earned a dollar for our efforts.

The heartfelt work on CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow, who stood up against power in the 1950s, has proven to be enduring: Clooney is set to make his Broadway debut by portraying Murrow in a stage adaptation of the movie. Remarkably, during its preview week before the official opening on April 3, the play garnered an unprecedented (for a non-musical) $3.3 million, indicating that Clooney is earning significantly more than $1.00 during this period.

Christian Bale, who played the chilling role of Patrick Bateman in the 2000 movie “American Psycho,” revealed that he was paid the absolute minimum they were allowed to pay him because most people involved in production didn’t want to hire him. However, director Mary Harron was the one who stood firm and insisted on having him for the role, as Bale shared with GQ in 2022.

As a devoted devotee, I recall sharing that my earnings were remarkably scant. There were instances where I sat in the makeup trailer, and the skilled makeup artists would chuckle good-naturedly as they noticed I was earning less than any one of them.

Although it’s possible his uncle was named Rico, Jon Heder clarified in 2010 that he originally received just $1,000 for playing the role in Napoleon Dynamite.

Following the unexpected success of his unconventional comedy, he managed to re-discuss terms and secure a portion of the earnings. He shared this with the New Zealand Herald by saying, “The offer was slightly increased.

Djimon Hounsou openly stated that he has been consistently undervalued in the film industry, despite boasting an impressive resume with films like “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond”.

In an interview with Larry Madowo for CNN in 2025, the Beninese actor shared that he’s been involved in filmmaking for over two decades. Despite receiving two Oscar nominations and appearing in several major blockbuster films, he continues to face financial challenges in sustaining his livelihood.

In her 2024 memoir titled “Rebel Rising,” Rebel Wilson disclosed that she received a mere $3,500 for her role in Bridesmaids. After this payment, she had to use it to become a union member with the Screen Actors Guild. In essence, she essentially didn’t receive any real compensation for her work on the film.

Still, she wrote, the experience was “everything!”

The Australian actress saw her fame soar significantly, as her earnings for “Pitch Perfect” in 2012 started at the SAG minimum of $65,000 and reached $10 million for “Pitch Perfect 3” in 2017. According to Wilson, she earned a total of $20 million from “Pitch Perfect 3,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” and “The Hustle,” although it’s important to note that approximately half went to taxes, 10% to agents, and 5% to her lawyer. Despite these expenses and paying for a publicist, business manager, and assistant, Wilson still ended up with a substantial amount of money, which she considered a massive fortune.

By the end of 2017, Ellen Pompeo successfully renegotiated her contract for the series Grey’s Anatomy, earning approximately $575,000 per episode. Additionally, she received a substantial signing bonus in the seven-figure range and was given two full backend equity points, which could potentially yield an estimated additional income of $6 million to $7 million.

In 2018, Pompeo shared with The Hollywood Reporter that at age 48, she’s finally confident enough to ask for what she rightfully deserves. She explained this newfound confidence doesn’t stem from being the most sought-after actress, as her character has been around for 14 years. However, she noted that many can be good on a show during its early seasons, but maintaining that level of skill over 14 years is truly exceptional.

As I ponder over my past experiences, I recall that, despite my character being ‘Grey,’ I earned less than my costar Patrick Dempsey. However, I want to clarify that I never harbored resentment towards him for his earnings. Instead, I chose to focus on the valuable lessons and opportunities that working alongside him brought me.

In a March 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy, she expressed, “Given that I was the namesake of this show, I felt I deserved equal treatment. That was more difficult to achieve. It wasn’t jealousy about what he received; it was disappointment that they didn’t appreciate me as much as him and never will.

In 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis reminisced about earning $2,000 per week, amounting to $8,000 in total, for her debut movie role in “Halloween”. She stated in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes in 2018 that, “frankly, no one received any payment at all.

Although actress Jamie Lee Curtis received a four-figure salary, John Carpenter’s friend Nick Castle (who played Michael Myers) felt like royalty earning just $25 per day. It was Anthony Moran whose visage was exposed briefly when the killer’s mask came off, and editor Tommy Lee Wallace also appeared on screen as Michael Myers.

In 2018, Castle, who studied film at USC with Carpenter, shared with Vanity Fair, “At the time, it was quite an investment!” Castle’s primary motivation for participating in the film was to gain on-set experience, demystifying the process of filmmaking and directing. He thought he would work for free, but instead, he earned $25 a day and was required to wear a rubber mask.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel that same passion Taraji P. Henson had when she took on the role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Even though she earned an Oscar nomination for her performance, it’s the $150,000 she received for being a part of this masterpiece that still gets me going. You see, producers initially rejected her initial quote of $500,000. But let’s be real, that girl never backs down from a challenge!

Regarding the main actors of the movie, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Henson stated on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021 that “At that time, it was common to hear about $20 million salaries, but not anymore. However, given their talent, it was justified for them to earn what they were rightfully due.

However, she added, “I was also contributing a specific sum for the seat and at that point in my career, I believed what I was requesting was reasonable given the ticket sales this big film would generate. I wouldn’t accept it.” Henson felt disappointed when they initially offered $100,000, she reminisced. “Ultimately, I ended up getting $150,000, but I had to put my pride aside.

Henson clarified, “People might say ‘$150,000 is a significant amount!’ But let me be clear, I don’t want to appear ungrateful because that’s not my character. Here’s the math: If Uncle Sam takes 50%, that leaves $75,000. Before taxes, I need to pay my team 30%. So, after Uncle Sam takes his 50% and my team’s share of 30%, I might be left with around $40,000.

Cate Blanchett hasn’t solely amassed her wealth through her role as the royal elf Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings series, despite its massive global box office earnings totaling approximately $2.9 billion.

In response to Andy Cohen’s guess during “Watch What Happens Live” in August 2024 that the Lord of the Rings movies were her biggest paycheck, she clarified, “Not at all! No one was paid for doing that movie…I mean, I essentially received free sandwiches, and I got to keep my ears.

In other words, they weren’t paid a significant sum. Orlando Bloom, portraying the elven warrior Legolas, revealed on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that he earned only $175,000 for the entire trilogy.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

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2025-07-15 18:49