Bruno Mars | Peter Gene Hernandez

Bruno Mars, a singer, and songwriter recognized for his genre-merging and distinct R&B sound, initially had difficulty convincing record labels to adapt his style. To avoid being classified as a Latino performer by the music industry, Peter Gene Hernandez changed his name to Bruno Mars. The fact that the Latino style of music was trendy at the time added to the pressure.

Changing your identity, style, or voice is an all-too-common occurrence for people hoping to break into the entertainment industry, regardless of which path they are pursuing. Mars, for example, would instead change his name than jeopardize his originality and music. The singer-songwriter is known for his on-stage antics, vintage showmanship, and ability to perform in various musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, hip hop, and rock. Mars has won numerous honors and nominations to his credit and is one of the best-selling musicians of all time.