Cher’s Grammy Return Takes an Unexpected Turn – and Steals the Night
Cher’s return to the Grammy Awards on February 1 was already historic. After nearly 20 years away, the 79-year-old legend stepped back onto the stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring more than six decades of influence across music, television, and film.
During her speech, Cher reflected on both her early success and the setbacks that shaped her career, including being dropped by a record label in the 1980s before reinventing herself with “Believe,” the song that later earned her Record of the Year in 2000.
Her message was clear: persistence matters more than timing.
As the applause faded and Cher prepared to leave the stage, Grammys host Trevor Noah stopped her and asked her to announce the next award.
Holding the envelope, Cher paused, laughed, and then made a surprise announcement:
“The Grammy goes to Luther Vandross.”
The arena erupted. Vandross, the legendary R&B singer, passed away in 2005 and was not among the nominees.
Cher quickly realized the mix-up and corrected herself, announcing Kendrick Lamar as the winner.
The moment, however, made sense. Lamar’s winning song, “Luther,” featuring SZA, samples Vandross’s 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, “If This World Were Mine.”
Cameras caught Lamar laughing as Cher apologized from the stage.
In his acceptance speech, Lamar honored Vandross’s legacy, calling him one of his favorite artists and describing how meaningful it was to receive permission to sample the song.
“the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross.”
— Cher announcing the winner of ‘Record of the Year’ at the #GRAMMYs. pic.twitter.com/rSTjjDdNIb
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 2, 2026
Rather than overshadowing the ceremony, the brief mistake became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Fans praised Cher’s humor and authenticity, turning a simple slip into an affectionate tribute to a music legend.
After six decades in the spotlight, Cher once again proved that live moments — not perfection — are what audiences remember.
