Mario Barrett Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth

Mario Barrett’s Net Worth

Professionally known as Mario, Mario Barrett is an R&B singer and actor with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He gained recognition as a teenager when he released his debut album, titled after himself, in 2002. His subsequent albums, including “Turning Point” (2004), “Go” (2007), and “D.N.A.” (2009), further solidified his career, alongside hit singles like “Let Me Love You” and “Break Up.” In addition to his music career, Mario has also acted in films such as “Step Up” and “Freedom Writers,” as well as in the TV series “Empire” and the musical special “Rent: Live.”

Early Life and Education

Mario Barrett was born on August 27, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Shawntia and Derryl. His father was a member of a gospel group named Reformation. Due to his mother’s struggles with addiction and his father’s absence, Mario was primarily raised by his grandmother. He showcased his singing talent at the age of 11 during a talent show and soon caught the attention of producer Troy Patterson. While studying at Milford Mill Academy, he received a recording contract from Clive Davis’s J Records.

Music Career

In 2002, Mario launched his self-titled debut album, which gained traction thanks to the hit single “Just a Friend 2002.” The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It also featured additional singles like “Braid My Hair” and “C’Mon.” His second album, “Turning Point,” released in late 2004, included collaborations with notable artists such as Scott Storch, Lil Jon, and Sean Garrett, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard 200. It delivered Mario’s biggest hit, “Let Me Love You,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and secured a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The album also produced three other singles in 2005: “How Could You,” “Here I Go Again,” and “Boom.”

Mario followed with his third studio album, “Go,” in late 2007, featuring singles like “How Do I Breathe” and “Crying Out for Me.” While the album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, he achieved more success with “D.N.A.,” released in 2009, which reached number nine on the Billboard 200, supported by the hit single “Break Up,” featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett. After various delays and changes with his fifth album, he collaborated with producer Rico Love but ultimately scrapped it before moving on. After more time and shifts, he released “Dancing Shadows” in 2018 on his independent label, New Citizen, featuring all original songs he wrote. Despite its release, the album did not achieve significant commercial success.

In late 2020, Mario issued the EP “Closer to Mars,” featuring singles “Closer,” “Mars,” and “Pretty Mouth Magick.” He has since released non-album singles such as “Luxury Love,” “Used to Me,” “Main One,” and “Space.”

(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Acting Career

Mario’s acting career began with a major role in 2003 as Marvin on the television sitcom “One on One.” He made his film debut in 2006 with “Step Up,” where he portrayed Miles Darby, a friend of Jenna Dewan’s character. The film was a significant box-office success, grossing over $114 million globally and resulting in a franchise. Following this, Mario starred as Andre Bryant in the 2007 film “Freedom Writers.”

In 2018, he joined the cast of the Fox musical drama series “Empire,” playing the recurring role of Devon, later becoming a main cast member in the show’s final season. That same year, he appeared as Benny in the Fox production “Rent: Live,” a partial live staging of the acclaimed musical. In 2024, he featured in a recurring role in the fourth season of the BET+ drama “All the Queen’s Men.”

Other Appearances

Apart from his major roles, Mario has made guest appearances on various television shows including “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Soul Train,” “Punk’d,” “Top of the Pops,” and “Wild ‘n Out.” Furthermore, he starred in the 2007 MTV documentary “I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom,” which portrayed his relationship with his mother, who struggled with heroin addiction.

In 2008, he competed on ABC’s dance competition series “Dancing with the Stars,” finishing in fifth place with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff. He then became a recurring guest on the 2009 reboot of the educational children’s show “The Electric Company.”

Do Right Foundation

Philanthropically, Mario founded the Do Right Foundation in 2008, motivated by his experiences with his mother’s drug addiction. The organization aims to educate and support children affected by parental substance abuse.