The 2026 Grammy Awards concluded in what many are calling the most chaotic fashion in recent memory, all thanks to a series of unexpected blunders from pop icon Cher during her highly anticipated return to the ceremony.
Cher's Long-Awaited Grammy Return Takes a Turn
Despite her decades of experience on stage, the 79-year-old Goddess of Pop faced a tumultuous night at the Grammys, marking her first appearance at the awards in 18 years. Cher was honoured with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, a moment that should have been a highlight of her storied career.
After accepting her accolade with a heartfelt speech about perseverance and never giving up on dreams, Cher was tasked with reading the nominees for Record of the Year. However, in a moment of confusion, she seemingly forgot this duty, instead urging the crowd to "sit down, please" and admitting, "I don't do this part very well."
A Walk-Off That Wasn't Meant to Be
Looking around nervously and appearing somewhat disoriented, Cher declared, "I guess I'm supposed to walk off now. Alright!" As she slowly moved towards the back of the stage, host Trevor Noah rushed out to intervene, reminding her of the pending nominee announcements. A crew member was seen guiding her back to centre stage, where Noah welcomed her return with enthusiasm.
Cher approached the microphone again, quipping, "You can see I wanted to get off the stage," before proceeding to read the nominees without issue. Yet, the chaos was far from over.
The Winner Announcement Mix-Up
Holding the winner envelope, Cher paused, looked into the camera, and exclaimed, "Oh, they told me it was going to be on the prompter!" She then announced the wrong name, appearing to say "Luther Vandross" (mispronounced as Grandoss), referencing the late singer whose work was sampled on the winning track.
Realising her mistake, Cher quickly corrected herself, shouting, "No, Kendrick Lamar. The Grammy goes to Kendrick Lamar," as the rapper was seen laughing before taking the stage. The blunder delighted viewers at home, with one social media user noting, "The pause, the name mix-up, the absolute chaos — only Cher could accidentally turn a Record of the Year announcement into camp television history."
Kendrick Lamar Makes Grammy History
In his acceptance speech, Lamar paid tribute to Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, saying, "First and foremost, let's give a shout-out to the late, great, Luther Vandross. It was very, very important to keep the integrity of this record." Lamar's win contributed to his historic night, as he picked up five awards in total, making him the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 27 Gramophones, surpassing Jay-Z's previous record of 25.
Other Highlights and Hiccups of the Night
The full list of 2026 Grammy winners included:
- Album of the Year – Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
- Record of the Year – Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- Song of the Year – Billie Eilish – Wildflower
- Best New Artist – Olivia Dean
However, Cher's gaffe wasn't the only technical issue of the evening. Best New Artist nominee Alex Warren faced problems during his performance of Ordinary, struggling with his in-ear device. The 25-year-old American singer could be seen fumbling with the equipment, causing him to fall half a beat behind at one point, though he managed to recover quickly. Later, on social media, Warren captioned a video, "This would only happen to me," alongside distorted audio from the track.
Reactions and Reflections
Host Trevor Noah later declared, "I love live television!" summing up the unpredictable nature of the broadcast. While some viewers criticised the mishaps, others showed empathy, with one commenter stating, "She's almost 80, let's give her some grace."
The 2026 Grammys will be remembered not just for its winners, but for the unforgettable, chaotic moments that underscored the challenges and surprises of live award shows, proving that even legends like Cher can have off nights that captivate audiences worldwide.
