Mario Biography
Born Mario Dewar Barret on August 29 1986 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Mario is one of America’s most successful RnB artists, he models and also acts. With his mother’s encouragement Mario decided to pursue a career in music before he was even five years old.
He often sung for his mother, Shawn Hardaway with his karaoke music set and although she was a heavy drug user she supported her son’s talent as best as she could. Mario grew up in a home where drugs were a common part of life but from a young age he knew that the only thing that could get him out of that life and possibly save his mother was music. Success in music was not forthcoming and after his parents split and his mother’s subsequent increase in drug use Mario moved in with his grandmother as his legal guardian.
While attending the Milford Hill Academy Mario joined Clive Records, a recording company and he immediately began work on his album. ‘Just A Friend’, the hit single from Mario’s first album titled ‘Mario’ led the artist into top music charts and the album sold out instantly. He worked with big names Ne-Yo, rap mogul Cassidy and singer Cassie to produce his second multi-platinum album ‘Turning Point’ in 2004. His other collaborations have been with singer Alicia Keys, producers and singers Babyface, Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri and Sean Garrett.
He has sung hit singles such as ‘How Do I Breathe’, ‘Let Me Love You’, ‘Crying Out For Me’ and ‘Let me Love You’. He also sung the hit singles ‘Break Up’, ‘Boom’ and most recently ‘Ooh Baby’. Mario has four albums including ‘Go!’ and ‘D.N.A’ released in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
Mario has had other on-screen appearances besides singing. He competed in the reality celebrity dance show ‘Dancing With The Stars’ in the show’s sixth season. He also had a role in the dance film ‘Step Up’ which was first shown in cinemas in 2006. The talented dancer was named the reason for the film’s success. His ability to communicate and touch the viewers through dance coupled with his looks won him a great fan base.
On numerous occasions Mario has been voted a sex symbol and has featured on People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Bodies and 100 Most Beautiful People lists. The artist also works as a model and has featured in fashion campaigns for major fashion houses like European Pelle Pelle Fashion House.
He hopes to work as a film director in his own a production company and is already an owner of an entertainment company called Soul Truth Entertainment founded in 2009.
Following his struggle with his mother’s drug abuse Mario has gone out to openly campaign against drug use and he also campaigns for animal rights under the PETA foundation. His foundation, The Mario Do Right Foundation works in support of children who are victims of drug abuse parents and also helps struggling parents overcome their addiction.
He also sung and produced the soundtrack to the teen film titled ‘Dr.Doolittle 2’. He acted on the 2006 film titled ‘Freedom Writers’.
Mario looks up to musicians Brian McKnight, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
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