Pop legend Cher found herself in a bit of a mix-up at the Grammys, inadvertently calling out Luther Vandross instead of Kendrick Lamar while on stage.
At the star-studded Los Angeles event, she was set to present the Record of the Year award, but as she began reminiscing about her illustrious career, she seemed to lose focus, almost walking off without presenting the award.
Thankfully, host Trevor Noah quickly intervened, urging her to announce the winner before she exited.
Returning to the mic, the 79-year-old icon made a curious statement, mentioning she thought the teleprompter would display the winner’s name. When she opened the envelope, in a moment of excitement, she mispronounced the winner as Vandross, who, tragically, passed away in 2005. The actual award was for Lamar’s work, particularly “Luther.”
Realizing the slip, she promptly corrected herself, confirming that the award indeed went to Lamar.
Lamar and SZA joyfully accepted the honor on stage, which was a highlight since he’s a celebrated artist with eight Grammy wins and 33 nominations throughout his time in the industry.
Social media didn’t let the blunder go unnoticed, with fans humorously commenting on the incident. One wrote, “Cher said it was going to Luther Vandross. She wasn’t wrong, really. I love how she acknowledged him. I miss him.” Another chimed in with excitement about the anticipated Cher memes from the episode.
In the midst of the laughter, a third user highlighted Cher’s enthusiasm, saying she appreciates Vandross’s artistry, and another joked about Cher’s unwavering charm, stating, “And the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross,” suggesting that her slip was endearing.
It’s worth mentioning that Cher herself is no stranger to Grammy success; she received an award for her massive hit “Believe” in 1998. Her music career, which kicked off in the 1960s, has been impressive, spanning over six decades.
