Cher Accidentally Declares Luther Vandross as Winner of Record of the Year at the Grammys

If only Cher could turn back time.

The two-time Grammy winner and musician of over seven decades presented the Record of the Year Award at this year's ceremony, and made a brief speech about her unparalleled career.

"I kind of thought I had it made. It didn't occur to me how rough my career was going to be and my life was going to be," she said.

"I'm not saying. 'Oh, poor me!' but I really was on the top or the bottom - I was either a loser or winning an Oscar," she continued.

"The only thing I really want you to take away with you: never give up on your dreams, no matter what happens."

The star then went to walk off stage before naming any of this year's nominees, but was gently nudged back by this year's host, comedian Trevor Noah. In a flurry of confusion, Cher looked at the teleprompter and awaited the winner's name, before realizing it wasn't coming, giggling along with the audience.

"They told me it was gonna be on 'em!" Cher said, apologizing and opening the envelope. "Oh! And the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!"

“Oh! The Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!” - Cher #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/G9tFB5rBHX

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 2, 2026

Many viewers at home will be slightly confused as to why Vandross, who wasn't nominated, was named as the winner. To add to the mix-up, the eminent soul singer passed away in 2005, although posthumous wins aren't exactly unheard of. At last year's ceremony, the Beatles' song Now and Then, based on a 1977 recording by John Lennon, took home the award for Best Rock Performance, 45 years after the musician's death.

The actual winner was Luther, the Jack Antonoff-produced song by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, which is named after Vandross. The track also samples Vandross' 1982 cover of If This World Were Mine, featuring Cheryl Lynn.

During the rapturous applause from the audience, Cher can be (somewhat) heard correcting herself. Viewers can just about make out a voice saying "Kendrick-!" that could belong only to Cher.

During the acceptance speech, Kendrick gave a shoutout to Vandross, concluding with "Luther forever."