{"id":2209,"date":"2026-02-03T07:09:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rinreports.online\/?p=2209"},"modified":"2026-02-03T07:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:09:13","slug":"cher-mistakenly-announces-dead-singer-as-grammy-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rinreports.online\/?p=2209","title":{"rendered":"Cher mistakenly announces dead singer as Grammy winner"},"content":{"rendered":"

On February 1,\u00a0Cher<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0returned to the Grammy stage for the first time in nearly two decades\u2014and ensured her comeback would be remembered.<\/p>\n

The 79-year-old legend was honored at the\u00a068th Annual Grammy Awards<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0with a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing more than 60 years of influence across music, television, and film. The appearance marked her first time at the Grammys in 18 years and came almost 26 years after she accepted her first competitive Grammy for \u201cBelieve,\u201d which won Record of the Year in 2000.<\/p>\n

A career built on resilience<\/h3>\n

Reflecting on her extraordinary journey, Cher addressed the audience with characteristic honesty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d she said, recalling the success of her 1970s television career. \u201cBut it didn\u2019t occur to me how rough my career was going to be, and my life was going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went on to describe a particularly difficult period in the early 1980s.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the early \u201980s, it got so bad that I had to go to Las Vegas. Then I got dropped by my label. Another label picked me up and I recorded a song called \u2018Believe,\u2019\u201d she explained, according to\u00a0Rolling Stone<\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Cher closed her speech with a message that resonated across generations.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever give up on your dream, no matter what happens. Live it, be it, and if it\u2019s not happening now, it will happen soon. So that\u2019s all I have to say. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A brief exit\u2014then a surprise return<\/h3>\n

As applause filled the arena, Cher turned to leave the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019m supposed to walk off now\u2026 all right, I have to walk off now,\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n

But moments later, Grammys host\u00a0Trevor Noah<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0stopped her.<\/p>\n

\u201cCher, before you go, uh\u2014could we get you to announce the nominees?\u201d he asked, prompting cheers from the crowd.<\/p>\n

A mix-up that stole the show<\/h3>\n

Holding the envelope, Cher began the announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Grammy goes to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! They told me it was going to be on a prompter,\u201d she said, laughing as she glanced down. Then she delivered the line that instantly became one of the night\u2019s most memorable moments:<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014the Grammy goes to\u00a0Luther Vandross<\/span><\/span><\/strong>!\u201d<\/p>\n

The audience erupted.<\/p>\n

Vandross, the legendary R&B vocalist who passed away in 2005 at age 54, was not among the nominees. However, the moment wasn\u2019t entirely off-base. The winning song\u2014\u201cLuther\u201d by\u00a0Kendrick Lamar<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0SZA<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u2014samples Vandross\u2019s 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, \u201cIf This World Were Mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Realizing the confusion, Cher quickly corrected herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! Kendrick! No\u2014Kendrick Lamar!\u201d she said, as laughter rolled through the arena.<\/p>\n

Lamar could be seen laughing from his seat, while Cher mouthed an apologetic \u201cI\u2019m so sorry\u201d as the winners headed to the stage.<\/p>\n

Kendrick Lamar honors Vandross\u2019s legacy<\/h3>\n

During his acceptance speech, Lamar addressed the significance of the song and the influence of Vandross.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what music is about. Luther Vandross\u2014this is special for me,\u201d Lamar said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of my favorite artists of all time, and they granted us the privilege to do our version of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that receiving clearance to sample the song was an emotional moment for the entire team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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