I recently had the incredible opportunity to perform in Maui, Hawaii, as a corporate event entertainer, and my trip was nothing short of magical. As a Bruno Mars impersonator, I frequently get requests to perform nationwide, but it had been 6-7 years since my last booking in Hawaii. That changed when I was invited to perform for a corporate event for Sage, a British multinational enterprise software company with a global presence.
This amazing opportunity came my way thanks to Lauren from Makana Hawaii Incentives. Lauren and I had worked together years ago when she booked me for a corporate event for Zillow. I’ve always been grateful for her considering me for Hawaiian events, and it truly makes sense – Bruno Mars is from Hawaii, so what better place for my performance? At the Sage event, I was met with an overwhelming response, with nearly everyone believing they were in the presence of the real Bruno Mars. This is exactly why Lauren continues to book me, and it’s an honor to bring that level of entertainment to these events.
Beyond the performance, my trip to Maui was filled with unforgettable moments. One highlight was finally meeting up with a music producer named Robert. We had been in touch for years, discussing a potential song where I would sing as Johnny Rico, not as Bruno Mars. He picked me up from my hotel, the luxurious Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort by Hyatt, and we headed to my go-to morning spot, Starbucks. We revisited our pre-pandemic conversations about the song, with Robert emphasizing that it needed to be a true representation of me.
During our chat, we were unexpectedly joined by another music producer and his recording artist, as well as a videographer. In a humorous moment, the female artist jokingly asked if anyone had ever told me I looked like Bruno Mars, fully aware of who I was. We shared some laughs, took a few pictures, and they went off to shoot footage for their project.
Later, Robert and I explored the high-end shops near my hotel, which included a Rolex boutique. For those who don’t know, Bruno Mars is known for his Rolex collection and even gifted Rolex watches to his band members. When we walked into the store, a friendly sales associate welcomed us. As we admired the stunning watches, she invited us to try some on. I decided to be a little playful and joked, “If I try on one of these watches, I’m running out!” She reassured me that the display models were safe. Doubling down on the joke, I said, “No, you don’t understand. If I wear any of these watches, I’m running out!” She laughed and responded in an equally humorous tone, “I have a gun, and you’re on an island—there’s nowhere to go.” We all shared a good laugh, and she even offered us a collectible Rolex catalog before we left.
That afternoon, I parted ways with Robert and returned to my hotel for a TikTok live session with my fans. After relaxing, I prepared for my performance and headed to soundcheck at Wailea Golf’s “Gather On Maui” venue. Everything was set up perfectly, but staying cool proved to be a challenge. My handler, Janai, suggested I return to the hotel to rest until I was cued. Back at the hotel, I ordered an Ahi Caesar Salad—honestly, the best salad I’ve ever had!
When the time came, I returned to the event, took the mic, and made my grand entrance, delivering a performance that had the crowd fully immersed in the experience. After the show, I took countless photos with excited guests, many of whom shared their Bruno Mars concert experiences and expressed how unforgettable this moment was for them.
What I love most about these performances is the experience I get to create. Whether or not people know I’m an impersonator, what truly matters is the magic of the moment. Companies like Sage, who go above and beyond to reward their hardworking employees, understand the power of entertainment in creating lasting memories. That’s what I live for—bringing people joy and making them feel like they’ve just met a superstar. Maui, you were incredible. Until next time!