SZA Discusses Cher’s Mix-Up Between Luther Vandross and ‘Luther’ at the 2026 Grammys: A Tribute to a Legend

SZA in Los Angeles in February 2026; Cher in Los Angeles in February 2026.
Credit :

Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty; Kevin Winter/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• SZA expressed understanding of Cher’s “Luther Vandross” mix-up while presenting Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammys
• “A legend was speaking…that’s what I understood,” the R&B singer told Entertainment Tonight on February 1
• Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” was awarded Record of the Year

SZA has spoken out in support of Cher following the 79-year-old’s flustered moment at the 2026 Grammy Awards. While presenting the award for Record of the Year, Cher mistakenly referred to the late Luther Vandross before quickly correcting herself to name the actual winners—Kendrick Lamar and SZA—for the track “Luther.”

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight on February 1, SZA reflected on the incident, stating, “A legend was speaking…that’s what I understood.”

Cher in February 2026 in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter/Getty

SZA, 36, joined fellow artist Leon Thomas in a lighthearted discussion about the incident. “Me too, I didn’t know what was going on,” she said with a laugh. She added, “Cher was, you know, she was queening,” affirming Cher’s legendary status.

Reflecting on her own surprise at winning Record of the Year for “Luther,” SZA remarked, “I didn’t expect it. That’s why I looked so lost.”

In elaborating on the mix-up during a follow-up Instagram clip from the interview, SZA explained, “We share the frequency of the song…that allowed us to be, like, memorable. So she’s not wrong, and she’s from that era, so she probably knew Luther Vandross.”

SZA expressed gratitude towards Vandross’s enduring influence, stating, “We’re mooching off of what Luther already gave us. So, we’re grateful.” She concluded with a heartfelt, “Thank you, Luther.”

Cher received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys after originally missing the Grammys Special Merit Awards on January 31. Her presentation of the Record of the Year award was marred by the slip, which resulted in a humorous moment on stage.

As Cher announced the winner, she momentarily faltered, stating, “And the Grammy goes to… Oh! They told me it was going to be on a prompter,” before saying, “Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross. Oh Kendrick, no Kendrick Lamar!”

Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Cher, Scott Bridgeway, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington and SZA in February 2026 in Los Angeles.

Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

The audience responded with laughter, and the camera captured Kendrick Lamar, 38, chuckling in delight at the moment. Cher, visibly amused, mouthed, “I’m so sorry” as Lamar and SZA made their way to the stage to accept their award.