If you’ve been a Bruno Mars fan for a while, you probably remember seeing him pop up in places you never expected. Award shows, the Super Bowl, late-night television… and yes, even Sesame Street.
When most people think about Bruno Mars and Sesame Street today, they immediately think about Cookie Monster’s hilarious parody of “I Just Might.” It’s one of those videos that makes you smile whether you’re a kid or an adult. But what many people don’t realize is that this wasn’t the beginning of Bruno’s relationship with Sesame Street—it was actually the continuation of a story that started more than fifteen years earlier.
As someone who performs a Bruno Mars tribute show, I love digging into little moments like this. It’s easy to focus on the Grammys, the sold-out tours, and the chart-topping hits, but sometimes it’s these unexpected collaborations that tell you even more about an artist. The connection between Bruno Mars and Sesame Street is one of those stories.
It All Started in 2011
Back in 2011, Bruno Mars was having an incredible year. His debut album had introduced the world to songs like Just the Way You Are, Grenade, and The Lazy Song, and suddenly he was everywhere. His music was on every radio station, his videos were getting millions of views, and he was quickly becoming one of the biggest names in pop music.
Right in the middle of all that success, Sesame Street invited Bruno to appear on the show.
Instead of having him perform one of his hit songs, the producers decided to create something original. The result was a song called “Don’t Give Up,” and honestly, it couldn’t have been a better fit.
The message was simple but powerful: when something is difficult, don’t quit. Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep believing in yourself.
Bruno performed the song alongside Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Grover, Telly Monster, and the rest of the Sesame Street gang. Watching the performance today, you can tell Bruno wasn’t just making a quick celebrity appearance. He jumped right in and looked like he was having a great time.
That’s probably one of the reasons the video has remained so popular all these years later.
Watch Bruno Mars Perform “Don’t Give Up”
Embed the YouTube video here
More Than Just a Guest Appearance
Sesame Street has welcomed hundreds of celebrities over the years, but not every appearance becomes memorable.
Bruno’s did.
Part of that is because the song wasn’t promoting an album or a new single. It was created specifically for Sesame Street and focused on encouraging kids not to give up when they’re learning something new.
The performance was so well received that “Don’t Give Up” was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for Children’s and Animation Programming. That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for what many people simply remember as “that Bruno Mars Sesame Street video.”
Even today, fans continue discovering it for the first time, while longtime Bruno fans enjoy going back and watching it again. It’s one of those performances that never really gets old.
Why Bruno Was the Perfect Choice
Looking back now, it’s easy to see why Sesame Street wanted Bruno Mars.
He’s always been known for more than just singing.
He’s a songwriter.
A producer.
A musician who plays multiple instruments.
A performer who brings positive energy everywhere he goes.
Those qualities fit perfectly with Sesame Street’s mission of inspiring kids to learn, create, and believe in themselves.
The collaboration didn’t feel forced. It felt natural.
That’s probably why it has stood the test of time.
Then… 15 years later
Fast forward to 2026.
Instead of Bruno Mars appearing on Sesame Street…
Sesame Street decided to celebrate Bruno.
Cookie Monster released a parody of Bruno’s song “I Just Might,” appropriately titled “Take a Bite.”
The first time I watched it, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Yes, it was funny because Cookie Monster was singing about cookies, but what really impressed me was how much attention Sesame Street paid to the original music video.
The wardrobe.
The lighting.
The camera work.
The overall vibe.
They clearly weren’t just making a parody—they were paying tribute to Bruno’s style.
That’s what made it so enjoyable.
Watch Cookie Monster’s “Take a Bite”
Embed the YouTube video here
The Details Make It Even Better
If you’ve watched Bruno’s original “I Just Might” video, you’ll immediately recognize all the little references.
Cookie Monster captures the same cool, laid-back confidence that Bruno brings to the original performance.
The production team recreated the visual style surprisingly well while still keeping everything fun and family-friendly.
That’s one of the things Sesame Street has always done so well.
Their parodies are funny enough for kids but clever enough for adults to appreciate all the little details.
For Bruno fans, those details make the video even more enjoyable.
A Pretty Rare Honor
Sesame Street has created parodies inspired by countless musicians over the years.
The Beatles.
Taylor Swift.
Bruce Springsteen.
Many others.
But Bruno’s story is unique because he experienced both sides of the relationship.
First, he appeared on Sesame Street as a guest performer.
Years later, Sesame Street turned around and celebrated one of his own songs.
That’s not something many artists can say.
It really shows just how much Bruno has become part of popular culture.
When your music inspires Sesame Street to create a parody, you’ve reached an audience that goes far beyond traditional pop music fans.
Why I Love This Story
As someone who performs a Bruno Mars tribute show, I spend a lot of time studying Bruno’s performances, music videos, interviews, and career.
Most people know about the Super Bowl halftime shows.
They know about Silk Sonic.
They know about the Grammy Awards.
But stories like this remind us that Bruno’s career has been filled with moments that aren’t always talked about.
Seeing him encourage kids to never give up back in 2011 says a lot about the kind of artist he is.
Then seeing Cookie Monster honor Bruno fifteen years later shows just how much respect and admiration he’s earned over the years.
I honestly think it’s one of the coolest collaborations in Bruno’s career.
A Full-Circle Moment
When you watch these two videos back-to-back, it’s hard not to appreciate how everything came full circle.
In the first video, Bruno stepped into the world of Sesame Street.
Years later, Sesame Street stepped into Bruno’s world.
That’s what makes this collaboration so memorable.
It wasn’t just a one-time celebrity appearance.
It became a story that stretched across more than fifteen years, connecting generations of Bruno Mars fans along the way.
Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll get another chapter in this story.
Until then, if you’ve never watched both videos, I highly recommend it.
Start with “Don’t Give Up,” then watch Cookie Monster’s “Take a Bite.”
You’ll see exactly why this has become one of my favorite little pieces of Bruno Mars history—and one that deserves to be remembered right alongside all the other incredible moments in his career.