The world knows Peter Gene Hernandez as the 15-time Grammy-winning superstar Bruno Mars, master of retro-funk and pop charisma. However, his singular career is actually part of a much larger, intensely musical family saga that began on the stages of Waikiki. Bruno Mars is not just an entertainer; he is one of six siblings, and every single one of them was seemingly destined for the spotlight.
The Germanotta family is built on collaboration, but the Hernandez family foundation is sheer, undeniable talent. His brother and four sisters have all followed the path of performance, proving that the magic of the “Hooligan” runs six ways deep.
The Hawaii-Grown Hernandez Clan
Bruno Mars was born into a multicultural, musical powerhouse family in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, Pete Hernandez, was a Latin percussionist of Puerto Rican/Jewish heritage, and his late mother, Bernadette (“Bernie”) Bayot, was a Filipino singer and hula dancer. They ensured their six children—three boys and three girls—were immersed in the world of Motown, doo-wop, and Elvis impersonations from the start.
The Hooligans’ Beat: Eric Hernandez
While Bruno is known for the smooth vocals and dance moves, the backbone of his live show comes from his older brother, Eric Hernandez.
Eric, often simply called E-Panda, serves as the longtime drummer and musical director for Bruno Mars’s backing band, The Hooligans. They have been playing together since they were teenagers in Hawaii.
Eric’s presence ensures a consistency and chemistry in the live performances that only brothers can share.
He maintains a lower profile than his superstar brother, yet his powerful rhythm is essential to the Grammy-winning funk sound.
The Lylas: Four Sisters Launch Their Own Dream
The fame of Bruno Mars siblings extended further in 2013 when his four sisters—Jaime, Tiara, Tahiti, and Presley—formed their own girl group called The Lylas.
The name is an acronym for “Love You Like A Sister,” which perfectly captures the heart of their venture. They moved from Hawaii to Los Angeles to launch their music career, a journey documented in their own 2013 docu-series on WE tv, also titled The Lylas.
Showcasing Struggle: The reality series chronicled their transition from Hawaii to Hollywood, capturing the inevitable sisterly squabbles and professional challenges of launching a music career.
Emotional Journey: Importantly, the show captured their lives during a period of immense personal difficulty: the sudden passing of their mother, Bernadette, who died in June 2013 at the age of 55 from a brain aneurysm.The sisters credited the show for capturing their final, cherished moments with their mother.
While their group project and reality show gained traction, they ultimately chose to focus on family and separate endeavors.
Latest Updates on the Hernandez Sisters
Although The Lylas project has receded, the sisters remain active in individual creative and community endeavors. Jaime Kailani works as a producer and runs a community organization, while Tahiti, Tiara, and Presley focus on professional and family roles. The siblings’ fierce bond, forged through shared performance and tragedy, remains strong.
Bruno Mars credits his fierce stage presence and passion to his siblings.
The superstar status is Bruno’s, but the Hernandez family’s musical story is a six-part harmony, with the Bruno Mars siblings ensuring the music never stops.
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CONCLUSION
The story of Bruno Mars siblings reveals that the singer’s talent is a family inheritance.
The Bruno Mars siblings, from brother Eric (The Hooligans’ drummer) to the four sisters of The Lylas, share an unwavering dedication to performance. Their strong bond and musical roots prove that the foundation of Bruno Mars’s electrifying, Grammy-winning success is a six-part, continuous harmony.
