Cher Accidentally Gives Kendrick Lamar and SZAs Record of the Year Grammy to Luther Vandross

Cher delivered one of Grammy night’s most memorable moments. After giving her acceptance speech for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, she began walking off stage, seemingly forgetting she was also tasked with announcing the winner for Record of the Year. The endearingly flustered icon was then thrown off when the winner wasn’t displayed on the prompter, as she’d expected.

When she finally opened the envelope, she excitingly declared, “Oh! The Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!” Of course, Vandross has been dead for over two decades, and the winner was the song “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. The winners made their way to the stage all smiles anyway, and Cher linked arms with producer Jack Antonoff as others gave their speeches.

It was an honest mistake that will likely go down as one of the sweetest, funniest moments of the whole evening. Watch the replay below.

Cher with the instant classic moment tonight 😂

“ohhh the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!”pic.twitter.com/Ympk20VmJP

— SOUND | Victor Baez (@itsavibe) February 2, 2026