Bruno Mars made a surprise appearance at BLACKPINK’s July 13 concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where he joined group member ROSÉ on stage for a live performance of their collaborative single “APT.” The moment quickly went viral, not only for the unexpected duet, but for Mars’ light-hearted nod to the persistent rumors about his alleged gambling debts.

Following the performance, the 16-time Grammy winner posted a clip of the set to Instagram, joking in the caption: “Almost out of debt BehhhhhBehhhhh!!! Preciate You ROSAAAAYYYYYY!!!!” ROSÉ replied in kind, commenting, “ya welcome.” She also shared a series of backstage photos showing the two embracing and laughing before and after their set, captioning the gallery with, “look at me and dis HUNK-O-RAMAA.”

While the banter between the artists was playful, Mars’ comment referenced a more serious narrative that’s followed him in recent years. In March 2024, reports began circulating that the singer-songwriter had allegedly accrued $50 million in gambling-related debt during his ongoing Las Vegas residency at the MGM Grand. The rumors gained traction online, amplified by speculation surrounding Mars’ long-term deal with MGM Resorts, which began in 2016 and has included multiple sold-out performance runs.

However, MGM quickly moved to dismiss the claims. In a statement released that month, the company said, “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.” This isn’t the first time Mars has addressed the allegations with humor. Earlier this year, after becoming the first artist to surpass 150 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he posted to social media: “I’ll be out of debt in no time.”

The performance at SoFi Stadium was the latest high-profile appearance in what has been a notably collaborative year for Mars. Since the release of “APT.” last October, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, the track has cemented itself as one of the biggest global hits of the past year. The joint performance with ROSÉ marks the first time the two artists have performed the song live together.

In addition to his work with ROSÉ, Mars has continued to collaborate with a wide range of artists across genres. In January, he released “Fat Juicy & Wet,” a single featuring rapper Sexyy Red, followed by the Grammy-winning ballad “Die With a Smile” alongside Lady Gaga. Both songs have received critical acclaim, with “Die With a Smile” earning a Grammy award of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

For fans at SoFi Stadium, the Mars and ROSÉ collaboration was an unexpected highlight in a night already packed with spectacle. The BLACKPINK tour stop drew over 70,000 attendees and featured a blend of solo performances and full-group sets. Mars' presence was kept under wraps until he walked on stage mid-show, prompting a wave of applause and phone flashes from the crowd. As Mars continues his global run of performances and studio collaborations, his ability to poke fun at media speculation only seems to reinforce his place as one of pop music’s most enduring and charismatic figures.