Cher’s Grammy Mix-Up Met with Grace by SZA

SZA responded with understanding and humor after Cher mistakenly announced Luther Vandross as the winner of the Record of the Year Grammy Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026. The actual winner was SZA and Kendrick Lamar for their collaboration, “luther.”

A Moment of Confusion

Although presenting the award, Cher initially announced, “And the Grammy goes to… Oh! They told me it was going to be on the prompter. Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross!” She quickly corrected herself, stating, “No! Kendrick Lamar!”

SZA’s Response: A Shared Frequency

SZA addressed the incident in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, expressing no ill will towards Cher. She explained the mix-up, noting the deep connection between their winning song and the legacy of Luther Vandross. “We share the frequency of the song,” SZA said. “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 that era.”

“She probably really knew Luther Vandross,” SZA continued. “Of course, her brain and her energy is connecting that energy to the energy that we’re sharing. We’re just mooching off of what Luther already gave us, so we’re grateful.”

The Influence of Luther Vandross

The song “luther” samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 cover of “If This World Were Mine,” adding another layer to the connection. SZA expressed a desire to thank Vandross directly, stating, “It’s like I wish I could speak to him.”

Recognition from Kendrick Lamar and Sounwave

Kendrick Lamar and Sounwave, who also produced the track alongside Jack Antonoff, acknowledged Vandross during their acceptance speech. Sounwave stated, “let’s give a shout out to the late, great Luther Vandross.” Lamar added, “This is what music is about… This is special for me. They granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you, we damn-near all dropped a tear.”

Grammy Successes

Record of the Year was SZA’s sole win at the 2026 Grammys. Kendrick Lamar dominated the rap categories and ultimately led the ceremony with five trophies.