If you could turn back time at the 2026 Grammys, Cher might have rehearsed her presenter duties just a bit more. The 79-year-old legend transformed what should have been a straightforward awards presentation into one of the most memorable flubs in Grammy history, complete with a premature exit and a case of mistaken identity that had viewers both cringing and laughing.
The chaos began innocently enough on Sunday night at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. Fresh off receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award, Cher delivered an inspirational acceptance speech encouraging people to chase their dreams. However, what happened next caught everyone off guard—including the icon herself.
After wrapping up her remarks, Cher apparently forgot she had one more crucial task: presenting Record of the Year. “I guess I’m supposed to walk off now, alright,” she announced, turning to exit the stage while the audience applauded. The problem? She hadn’t actually announced anything yet.
Host Trevor Noah quickly jumped into action, nervously calling the “Believe” singer back to the microphone. The comedian quipped that while he could announce the nominees himself, it wouldn’t be quite the same without her star power. Cher returned, joking about her eagerness to escape, before introducing the nominees for the coveted category.
Yet the surprises weren’t over. After reading the list of contenders—which included Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and others—Cher stood frozen at the podium. She began the traditional phrase, “And the Grammy goes to…” before trailing off into an awkward silence. The pause stretched uncomfortably as she stared ahead, seemingly waiting for divine intervention.
Realizing her mistake, she confessed, “Oh, they told me it was going to be on the prompter!” The entertainer then opened the envelope in her hand, only to create the night’s most viral moment.
“Luther Vandross!” she exclaimed enthusiastically, announcing the late soul singer—who died in 2005—as the winner. The crowd erupted in a mixture of laughter and confusion. Meanwhile, the actual winner, Kendrick Lamar, approached the stage chuckling, immediately grasping the mix-up. Cher quickly caught her error and corrected herself: “No, Kendrick Lamar!”
The confusion was understandable, if not entirely excusable. The winning track is titled “Luther,” and it samples Vandross’s 1982 duet “If This World Were Mine” with Cheryl Lynn. Lamar took the flub graciously, later paying homage to his musical hero. Producer Sounwave opened the acceptance speech by saying, “First and foremost, let’s give a shout-out to the late, great, Luther Vandross.”
Despite the series of mishaps, fans largely embraced Cher’s unscripted performance with affection and humor. Social media lit up with playful commentary about the moment, with many praising her for keeping the Grammys entertaining. After all, in an era of tightly controlled award shows, there’s something refreshing about genuine chaos—especially when delivered by a legend who admitted from the start, “I don’t do this part very well.”
At 79, Cher proved she remains as unpredictable and captivating as ever. Whether intentional or not, she gave the Grammys a finale that will be remembered far longer than most perfectly executed presentations. Sometimes the best moments aren’t scripted—they’re simply survived.
