Bruno Mars just became the first Filipino-American artist to get a skin in Fortnite, a milestone that says as much about pop culture as it does about platform clout. The game announced that Mars will join Fortnite Festival’s Season Nine main stage starting June 18, cementing his place in a digital arena that has already hosted global stars like The Weeknd, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga.
Mars’ avatar will sport the outfit from his “Die With a Smile” video, Stetson hat and all. The skin will also come with new cosmetic items: the heart-shaped Dreamer’s Two-Shot Back Bling, a Mars-inspired emote, and the Last Reprise Guitar, modeled after the one he plays in the same video. There’s no mistaking this skin is for hardcore fans who want their pop idols pixelated, decked out, and ready to lock and load.
The season’s music pass also features a handful of Bruno Mars tracks, including his collaboration with Lady Gaga and “APT” with Rosé. For Silk Sonic fans, “Leave the Door Open” makes the cut, too, joining other tracks available for purchase. It’s a curated version of Mars’ musical universe, repackaged for those who’d rather jump into a battle royale than scroll through a streaming app.
Still, the appeal of buying a Mars skin isn’t about being a fan exclusively. The inclusion reflects a moment where Filipino-American excellence is not only celebrated but embedded into one of the most influential digital platforms in the world. In a game built on icons and scale, Bruno Mars’ inclusion is a reminder that artistry, skill, and cultural weight travel far when they’re rooted in craft and consistency.
There’s also the bigger question: does being in Fortnite still matter? For celebrity branding, absolutely. In the same way that a Travis Scott virtual concert broke the internet and Snoop Dogg now moonwalks across digital stages, the Mars avatar adds another layer to a star whose career has already crossed genres, continents, and now game engines.
