On February 1, Cher made her return to the Grammy stage for the first time in almost twenty years – ensuring that her presence would be unforgettable.
The 79-year-old pop legend was recognized at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award, commemorating over sixty years in the music industry. This event marked her first attendance at the ceremony in 18 years and occurred nearly 26 years after she received her first Grammy for “Believe,” which won her the Record of the Year award in 2000.
“I knew what I wanted to be when I was five years old, and I was famous at 19, and had a top-rated show in my 20s, actually,” Cher shared with the audience, reminiscing about her television career in the 1970s that propelled her to fame. “However, I did not realize how challenging my career and life would become.”
“In the early 80s, things became so difficult that I had to relocate to Las Vegas. Subsequently, I was dropped by my record label. Fortunately, another label took me on, and I recorded a song titled ‘Believe,’” she recounted during her acceptance speech, as reported by Rolling Stone.
“Never give up on your dream, regardless of the circumstances. Live it, embody it, and if it is not materializing at this moment, it will soon. That is all I wish to convey. Thank you,” she concluded.
‘Have to walk off now’
After delivering a heartfelt speech on perseverance, longevity, and the pursuit of dreams, she began to leave the stage: “I suppose I should walk off now… well, I must walk off now,” she remarked as she departed.
However, Trevor Noah, who was hosting the star-studded awards ceremony for his sixth and final occasion, called her back to present the award for the same category she had won in 2000.
“Cher, before you leave, could we ask you to announce the nominees?” Noah inquired. “Welcome back, Cher, everyone!”
She couldn’t turn back time.
Quickly regaining her composure and holding the envelope containing the winner’s name, the icon began, “And the Grammy goes to…”
Then, according to People, she paused briefly.
“Oh! I was informed that it would be on a prompter,” Cher said, laughing off the situation. Then came the moment that both shocked and entertained the audience.
She enthusiastically declared: “Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!”
Puzzled presenter
Luther Vandross, the cherished soul singer who made his last appearance at the 2004 Grammys through a pre-recorded message prior to his passing in 2005 at the age of 54, was notably absent from the list of nominees that evening.
However, Vandross – who received eight Grammy awards throughout his career – had a link to the victorious song: “Luther,” performed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, which incorporates a sample from Vandross’s 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, “If This World Were Mine.”
The title of the song was sufficient to confuse the presenter.
As the audience burst into laughter, Cher corrected herself, saying: “Oh! Kendrick! No – Kendrick Lamar!”
Lamar, who was seated in the audience, was seen laughing at the blunder. Cher, upon realizing her error, looked flustered and silently apologized by mouthing “I’m so sorry” as the winners approached the stage.
Lamar praises the late Vandross
During the acceptance speech, the 38-year-old rapper reflected on what the song meant to him – and how meaningful it was to receive permission to sample Vandross’s work.
“This is what music is about. Luther Vandross, this, this is special for me,” Lamar started. “It’s one of my favorite artists of all time, and they granted us the privilege to do our version of this. When we got that clearance, I promise you, we definitely all dropped a tear, because we know how much him and Cheryl Lynn poured into that record.”
What fans said about Cher’s mix-up
The amusing mistake was swiftly accepted by fans both online and in the venue, many of whom remarked that the misunderstanding was reasonable considering the title of the song and the significant impact Vandross had on the album itself.
“An iconic moment. Two legends, one historic #GRAMMYs announcement,” one fan commented on X. Another user remarked, “At least they embraced it. Additionally, the song is linked to Vandross, so she wasn’t entirely incorrect.”
“Who is Luther Vandross?? Is she well-known?” inquired one user, inadvertently revealing more about their age than they probably intended.
In spite of the blunder, Cher’s return to the Grammys was met with appreciation. Her announcement slip-up, rather than detracting from the evening, transformed into a charming and somewhat appropriate homage to Luther Vandross – whose legacy endures not only through his own songs but also through the artists he continues to motivate.
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