Grammy Awards 2026: Who is Luther Vandross? Cher makes blunder as she delivers Record of the Year award to Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Music legend Cher was in attendance at the Grammy Awards 2026 to present one of the biggest awards of the evening - but the singer made a huge blunder on stage.
Cher, 79, took to the stage during last night’s (February 1) ceremony to present the coveted Record of the Year award. Stars such as Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter were up for the award.
It was eventually revealed that the award went to rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer-songwriter SZA for their smash-hit collaboration ‘luther’.
However, Cher made a major blunder as she read out the winners on the card. While presenting on stage, she said: “And the Grammy goes to, oh they told me it was going to be on the prompter, oh and the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross... no Kendrick Lamar.”
Audiences at home were left hilariously confused by the moment she announced Vandross as the winner. The R&B legend died at the age of 54 in 2005.
The moment caused giggles amongst Lamar and SZA, with Lamar taking to the stage to say: “This is what music is about. Luther Vandross.”
Who is Luther Vandross?
Luther Vandross was a multi award-winning R&B artist who has sold over 40 million record worldwide. Some of his biggest hits include ‘Dance With My Father’, ‘Never Too Much’, and ‘Here and Now’ among many, many others.
Vandross won a total of eight Grammy Awards throughout his career and was inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025 for his hit single Never Too Much. He was also inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2021.
Is Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA about Luther Vandross?
While Cher made the mistake of announcing Luther Vandross as the winner of Record of the Year, she isn't a million miles away from being bang on the money.
Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is actually named after the legendary R&B singer-songwriter. The song also features a sample of Vandross’ 1982 collaboration with Cheryl Lynn titled If This World Were Mine.
Speaking after their win in the category during last night’s ceremony, SZA said of Cher’s blunder: “We share the frequency of the song. Like, that’s his frequency that allowed us to win and that allowed it to be memorable. So she’s not wrong, and she’s from the era. She probably really knew Luther Vandross.
“Of course her brain and her energy is connecting that energy to the energy we’re sharing. We’re just mooching off of what Luther already gave us. So we’re grateful and, it’s like I wish i could speak to him - thank you, Luther.”