As the years have gone by, I’ve noticed an increasing number of requests coming in from YouTubers, TikTok creators, Instagram influencers, content creators, and social media personalities looking to collaborate on video projects. Some requests simply aren’t the right fit, while others turn into memorable experiences that I never forget. One of those memorable opportunities was working with Jake Paul, and another was collaborating with one of YouTube’s biggest creators, Airrack.
Although there are still many well-known influencers and creators I have yet to meet and work with, I remain excited about the possibilities that the future holds. Every year seems to bring new opportunities, and it’s always interesting to see where my Bruno Mars tribute career takes me next.
Back in 2022, I had the opportunity to work with popular YouTube sensation and influencer Eric Decker, better known online as Airrack. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Airrack’s YouTube channel experienced explosive growth. His creative content, larger-than-life challenges, and entertaining videos attracted millions of viewers around the world, making him one of the fastest-growing creators on the platform.
Like many projects involving celebrities, influencers, and public figures, there was a middleman involved in arranging the collaboration. An associate of Airrack’s reached out to me through Instagram direct messages. Whenever I receive inquiries about appearances, performances, or content collaborations, I always ask for additional details before providing a quote. This project was no different. After discussing the concept, location, and production details, everything was set and we agreed to move forward.
The day of filming turned out to be an adventure in itself.
Earlier that day, I had posted on Instagram that I would be filming in Beverly Hills with another content creator. Shortly after posting, a luxury Uber driver whom I had previously met in Los Angeles saw my post and reached out. To my surprise, he offered to drive me to Beverly Hills completely free of charge. It was an incredibly generous gesture, and true to his word, he picked me up and drove me directly to the filming location.
Once I arrived, I met Eric and his team and learned more about the concept for the video. The plan was simple but incredibly entertaining. We would film on the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, one of the most recognizable shopping destinations in the world. Airrack would approach random people walking down the street and ask them questions such as who their favorite singer, performer, or musical act was.
The fun twist was that if they answered “Bruno Mars,” I would suddenly appear and perform a song for them on the spot.
What made the concept even more entertaining was Eric’s ability to guide conversations in a way that often led people toward mentioning Bruno Mars. He has a natural talent for engaging strangers and creating fun interactions. While some people politely declined to participate, the majority were excited to join in and play along.
Whenever someone mentioned Bruno Mars, I would make my surprise appearance and immediately jump into character. Watching people’s reactions was priceless. Some were shocked, some laughed, and many genuinely thought for a split second that Bruno Mars himself had somehow appeared on Rodeo Drive. The smiles, laughter, and excitement from complete strangers created a positive atmosphere throughout the day.
One of the things I enjoyed most about the experience was seeing how music can instantly bring people together. Even in a brief interaction lasting only a few moments, people were smiling, singing along, pulling out their phones, and sharing the experience with friends and family. As a performer, those are the moments that make what I do worthwhile.
The filming lasted several hours, and we captured far more footage than what was eventually released. There were countless funny moments, unexpected reactions, and memorable interactions that never made it into the final edit. While Airrack did release a short-form version of the project, I still hope that one day the complete footage will be shared publicly.
Many wonderful moments were captured that day in the famous 90210 area, and I believe viewers would enjoy seeing the full experience unfold from beginning to end. There were many more smiles, laughs, and unforgettable reactions than what appeared in the short clip.
Looking back, it was an incredible experience collaborating with Airrack and his team. It was another reminder of how social media, entertainment, and live performance continue to create unique opportunities that connect people in unexpected ways. I’m grateful to have been part of the project, and I look forward to working with more creators, influencers, and entertainers in the years to come.
For now, I’ll always have the memories of surprising people on Rodeo Drive, making strangers smile, and bringing a little bit of Bruno Mars magic to the streets of Beverly Hills.
While he did create a “short video” of this project in the 90210 area in 2022, I do hope he posts the full video someday, because many other smiles had been captured that day and I wish people could see that.