Bruno Mars to Headline Fortnite Festival Season 9
- Sagar Mankar
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
UPDATE: Epic Games has now officially confirmed that the "GRAMMY-winning megastar" Bruno Mars is a Festival Season 9 Icon!
ORIGINAL STORY:
Fortnite players may soon see Bruno Mars return in a big way, as rumors suggest he could be the headliner for Fortnite Festival Season 9. With Epic Games' summer break set to begin on June 17, the studio is expected to reveal the next major Festival performer in just a few hours. While early speculation pointed toward electronic music artist Deadmau5, the latest leaks indicate that Bruno Mars might take the stage instead.
The possibility of Bruno Mars leading the next season of Fortnite Festival first came from known Fortnite leaker SamLeakss, who shared the rumor in collaboration with another trusted source, ShiinaBR. Though the claim hasn’t been confirmed by Epic Games, Shiina later noted that members of the FortniteLeaks Discord server had also heard similar chatter, lending some credibility to the speculation.
Interestingly, this wouldn’t be Mars’ first appearance in Fortnite. The pop star, alongside fellow Silk Sonic member Anderson Paak, was previously featured in the game as part of the Icon Series during Chapter 3 Season 1. Their skins included multiple alternate styles and quickly became fan favorites. However, if Mars headlines Fortnite Festival Season 9, it would mark a rare instance where an already-featured artist returns in a major, gameplay-centric role.
The response from the community has been mixed. While some players appreciate Mars’ musical contributions and polished aesthetic, others on X have expressed disappointment. Many feel that Bruno Mars has already had his moment in Fortnite and were hoping for a fresh face like T-Pain, Deadmau5, or even a highly requested act like Daft Punk.
A week ago, it seemed all but certain that Deadmau5 would be taking center stage. Prominent leakers such as BeastFNCreative and Loolo_WRLD shared details that pointed toward the electro-house DJ’s inclusion. According to them, Deadmau5 was set to debut with unique cosmetics, including a keytar and drum set. Fans even noted in-game teasers and Easter eggs hinting at his arrival, which usually signal an upcoming Festival appearance.
Deadmau5, also known as Joel Zimmerman, has long been a fan favorite for such collaborations. His signature helmet and electronic beats align well with Fortnite’s colorful, music-driven events. However, no further updates on that rumor have surfaced since June 16, and the shift in buzz toward Bruno Mars has many now questioning whether plans changed at the last minute.
Some fans are also wondering whether this change, if real, might be part of a larger strategy by Epic Games. As noted in earlier leaks, the studio is reportedly planning to bring back large-scale in-game concerts in Chapter 7. Previous musical events featuring the likes of Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, and Eminem have been huge hits, and a similar return could be on the cards later this year.
For now, the focus remains on who will lead Fortnite Festival Season 9. Whether it’s Bruno Mars stepping back into the spotlight or Deadmau5 finally getting his Fortnite moment, fans won’t have to wait long to find out. Confirmation is expected by 2 p.m. ET on June 17, just before Epic heads into its summer break.
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