Iconic singer Cher returned to the Grammy stage on Sunday night in a moment that fans won’t soon forget. Fresh from receiving the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the music icon had one more task: presenting Record of the Year. What followed
was a chaotic onstage moment.
Moments after host Trevor Noah called her back to read the nominees, Cher approached the microphone. “I guess I’m supposed to walk off now,” she said before turning back toward the audience.
The ‘Luther Gandross’ Slip In Grammys 2026
When it came time to announce the winner, Cher paused. She glanced at the teleprompter, then at the screen behind her. “Oh,” she laughed. “They told me it was going to be on the prompter.” Finally opening the envelope, she declared,
“The Grammy goes to…Luther Gandross!” The crowd erupted in laughter at the slip. It was a mix-up meant to honour Luther Vandross, whose work inspired the winning track. Singer-songwriter Luther Vandross died in 2005.
Realising her mistake, Cher quickly corrected herself, pointing toward the winners: Kendrick Lamar and SZA. “Oh Kendrick, no! Kendrick Lamar!” she exclaimed.
Cher hands out Record of the Year at the #GRAMMYs to Kendrick Lamar & SZA for “luther.” pic.twitter.com/8HbDVnGT15
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 2, 2026
Cher’s gaffe soon went viral online.
A user on X wrote, “Cher is definitely allowed to ramble on about her career at the Grammys for 15 minutes off script then forget to present an award…then come back and announce Kendrick and SZA’s award for the song ‘Luther’ to LUTHER VANDROSS who died in 2005.”
lol nah Cher is definitely allowed to ramble on about her career at the Grammys for 15 minutes off script then forget to present an award…then come back and announce Kendrick and SZA’s award for the song ‘Luther’ to LUTHER VANDROSS who died in 2005 🤣🤣🤣#GRAMMY pic.twitter.com/j2OhLSOa50
— TheHolyGoofs (@TheHolyGoofs) February 2, 2026
Another wrote, “The Universe gotta keep Cher protected at all costs…. SNL could never make a skit this good… RIP Luther Vandross.”
The Universe gotta keep Cher protected at all costs…. SNL could never make a skit this good.
SZA's fine ass face was stuck. RIP Luther Vandross 🙏🖤 "Luther forever!" – Kendrick Lamar#GRAMMY #GRAMMYs2026 #Cher pic.twitter.com/Ld74K0Rn8N— DJ MIM (@DJMIMDC) February 2, 2026
Someone said, “Cher giving the Grammy posthumously to Luther Vandross, instead of Kendrick Lamar and Sza’s Luther.”
Cher giving the #grammy posthumously to Luther Vandross, instead of Kendrick Lamar and Sza’s Luther. pic.twitter.com/IHhwVN0slY
— Your Damn Uncle (@gusfw) February 2, 2026
Kendrick Lamar, 38, embraced the moment in his acceptance speech, laughing alongside Cher. “This is what music is about. Luther Vandross,” he said. “It’s one of my favourite artists of all time, and having the chance to reinterpret this song was truly special.”
SZA added, “We need each other. Trust your heart. That’s what this music is about.”
Grammys 2026: About Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Luther’
The song, “Luther,” from Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 album GNX, is a homage to Vandross, sampling his 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, If This World Were Mine. Released as the third single from GNX, “Luther” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple nominations,
including Song of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Kendrick Lamar ended the night with five Grammys.
