Luther Vandross’s Thoughts on Cher’s 2026 Grammys Mixup: A Look Back in Memory

Luther Vandross; Cher.
Credit :

SGranitz/WireImage; Kevin Winter/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Luther Vandross’ social media team responded to Cher’s viral mixup at the 2026 Grammys
• The “Believe” icon mistakenly announced “Luther Vandross” while presenting Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Record of the Year win for “Luther” during the ceremony on February 1
• SZA later commented on the moment in an interview with Entertainment Tonight

During the 2026 Grammy Awards, Cher inadvertently mentioned the late Luther Vandross while presenting the award for Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s song “Luther.” Following this viral mix-up, Vandross’ social media team took to X to respond.

After Cher, 79, stated “Luther Vandross” while announcing the Record of the Year winners at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Vandross’ official account shared a video. The video featured Cher’s announcement spliced with Vandross’ acceptance speech from the 1992 ceremony when he won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

In the video, Vandross expresses his gratitude, saying, “I really appreciate this. This is not taken lightly. I take this home, I put it on the front door, you have to lift it up before you can ring the bell.” He accepted the award for “Power of Love/Love Power” and concluded with, “So, good night and thank you everyone.”

The social media post included the caption, “If only we could turn back time, @Cher.”

Additionally, the account shared a clip of Kendrick Lamar, 38, giving a nod to Vandross on stage, which was juxtaposed with videos of the legend performing throughout his illustrious career.

At the Grammy ceremony, Cher quickly corrected herself, naming Lamar and SZA as the actual winners. SZA, 36, later discussed the incident with Entertainment Tonight.

“Me too, I didn’t know what was going on,” she recalled with laughter. “A legend was speaking… that’s what I understood. Cher was, you know, she was queening.”

SZA added that she was surprised to win the award, saying, “That’s why I looked so lost.”

Cher; Kendrick Lamar and SZA.

Kevin Winter/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

In a separate interview clip, SZA elaborated on Cher’s mix-up, referencing their song “Luther,” which samples Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 version of “If This World Were Mine.” “We share the frequency of the song, like that’s his frequency that allowed us to win and that allowed us to be, like, memorable,” she explained.

SZA acknowledged Cher’s connection to Vandross, noting, “So [Cher’s] not wrong, and she’s from that era, so she probably knew Luther Vandross.”

She concluded, expressing gratitude: “We’re mooching off of what Luther already gave us. So, we’re grateful. Thank you, Luther.”