A hit-making artist who saw massive success with music and films in the 2000s shocked his fans on Wednesday with a big announcement.
The crooner shared that he is expecting first baby at the age of 39 after dropping out of the spotlight.
The Baltimore native is expecting his first baby with girlfriend Esmeralda Rios.
‘It’s a whole universe in there! I can’t wait,’ he wrote on his Insta Stories as she shared a photo of his hand on his baby mama’s baby bump.
In the past he explained why he was waiting to become a father.
During a 2023 interview with V-103 Atlanta, he said that he was waiting for the right time in his life to pro-create.
Mario Dewar Barrett, known as Mario, is expecting his first child at 39; seen in 2005
Seen in 2005
‘I don’t take having kids lightly,’ he said.
‘Everybody I know [has] kids. Some of my friends [that are] younger have kids, some of my friends [that are] older have kids, and it comes with a lot of pros and cons.
‘And I also grew up without a father. So, I want to do it right when I do do it. You know, I got time. So, I’m not rushing into that.’
Mario – full name Mario Dewar Barrett – is best known for the songs Let Me Love You and Music For Love.
He also appeared in the movies Step Up (2006), Freedom Writers (2007), and was on season six of Dancing With The Stars and was on the series Empire from 2018 until 2020.
The R&B singer scored his first record deal at just 14 years old, despite his difficult childhood and released his self-titled debut album the following year to commercial success.
Mario went on to find global stardom and a Grammy nomination for his now signature song, Let Me Love You, written by singer Ne-Yo and went on his first world tour supporting the iconic Destiny’s Child.
While he’s also enjoyed success on the silver screen, with roles in commercially successful films and shows opposite the likes of Hilary Swank, Taraji P. Henson and Channing Tatum.
‘It’s a whole universe in there! I can’t wait,’ he wrote on his Insta Stories as she shared a photo of his hand on his baby mama’s baby bump
On her own account, Rios shared a photo of her bump while she was in a tank top and skirt
Mario seen in February in Atlanta, Georgia
Mario has faded slightly from public view in the two decades since he began his career, with cancelled albums, disagreements with management and record label issues.
However the hitmaker has begun to make a comeback, after winning rave reviews for his performances on last year’s The Masked Singer, and releasing his first new album in six years in December 2024.
Mario was born in Baltimore, Maryland in August 1986, and was mostly raised by his grandmother as his mother, Shawntia Hardaway, struggled with a heroin addiction throughout his childhood.
Mario was offered a record deal at the age of 14 with label J Records, being signed by producer Clive Davis, who is credited with bringing Whitney Houston to prominence (seen with Janet Jackson in 2005)
He first showed a love for music at just four-years-old, prompting his mum to buy him a karaoke machine to pursue his passion.
After learning to play the piano and joining a music group at school, he was eventually discovered aged 11, after performing I’ll Make Love to You at a local talent show.
Producer Troy Patterson recognised his talent and signed him, before going on to adopt Mario and bring him to live with his family in New Jersey .
In 2020, Mario voiced his gratitude that Troy had taken him in when he did and prevented him from going into the system and getting ‘into trouble’.
He said: ‘I was blessed to have Troy come and adopt me and just give me another chance at life and a different path’.
He appeared as Miles Darby opposite Channing Tatum in dance-themed 2006 film Step Up, which went on to spawn the Step Up franchise (pictured in film)
Outside of his musical and acting pursuits, Mario also enjoyed a stint on season six of Dancing With the Stars in 2008 with Karina Smirnoff and made it to week eight (pictured)
Mario’s relationship with his mother was rocky – largely because of her admitted heroin addiction while the star was growing up.
In 2007, they starred in an MTV reality TV special called I Won’t Love You To Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, where Mario arranged for an intervention to get his mother help.
The documentary followed the star has he sought help from family and friends and saw him write a letter to his mum begging her to stop using.
It read: ‘Growing up without a father was hard for me, but it was even harder growing up with your mother struggling with drugs and addiction.
‘I never understood why you would spend so much time in the bathroom and leave the house for days and fall asleep during the middle of the day. I didn’t understand that at all.’
Shawntia passed away in 2017; he shared a heartbreaking tribute
The letter concluded with the line: ‘I love you so much – But I won’t love you to death.’
He later explained he had decided to do the show to help other young people that were facing addition struggles.
Mario said: ‘There were some discussions about how personal or how raw it would be, and at the time I didn’t know much about reality shows, so I just thought “real is real” and “let’s just keep it 100.”
‘We decided to do it and they wanted to turn it into a longer reality show but I was fine with the one time thing and I wanted it to help my fans and inspire people around the world who were struggling with addiction. I wanted to show young adults that they could overcome.’
