Live award shows are always unpredictable, and Cher proved that even a small gaffe can become unforgettable.
During Sunday’s Grammys, the legendary entertainer had a brief on what to do—but her slip-up became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Executive producer Ben Winston told Rolling Stone that Cher had been carefully prepared ahead of the show.
“We had briefed her, and what she was supposed to say was right there on the prompter,” he explained.
The Grammy Mix-Up
The moment happened when Cher accidentally announced the late Luther Vandross as the winner of Record of the Year.
In reality, the award went to the song “Luther”, a collaboration by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
Cher declared, “Luther; Luther Vandross – no, Kendrick Lamar!”
Her slip quickly went viral, but Winston noted that it actually added something special to the broadcast.
“If I could go back in time, I’d want that to happen again,” he joked, paraphrasing one of Cher’s own hits.
A Bit of Chaos Makes Live TV Memorable
Winston emphasized that the brief gaffe brought a sense of authenticity and spontaneity to the live show.
“You want a bit of anarchy on live television,” he said.
Cher, who was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, reportedly enjoyed every minute and was delighted with how the moment played out.
SZA also weighed in, telling Entertainment Tonight that the slip was inconsequential compared to Cher’s overall presence.
“A legend was speaking—that’s what I understood. Cher was queening,” she said.
SZA added that Cher’s energy seemed to bridge the moment with the spirit of the music itself, even connecting briefly to Vandross’ legacy.
Cher’s Grammy Weekend
The Grammy weekend wasn’t without confusion for Cher.
She was originally supposed to receive her Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday but didn’t attend.
On Sunday, host Trevor Noah presented her honor, and the singer admitted during her speech, “I don’t do this part very well. Put a microphone in my hand and have some music—I’m great.”
She humorously wrapped up with, “I guess I’m supposed to walk off now.”
Noah later recalled how he gently guided her back on stage via his earpiece: “Before you go, could we get you to announce the nominees?”
Cher’s response: “Oh! They told me it was going to be on a prompter.”
Live TV Magic and John Travolta Flashbacks
Winston reflected on how chaotic but exciting live television can be.
With Noah stepping down as host this year, he acknowledged it won’t be easy to fill his shoes.
“It’s really hard in that room to play comedy—it’s an arena,” he said.
The Grammy misstep drew comparisons to John Travolta’s famous 2014 Oscars flub, when he mistakenly introduced Idina Menzel as “Adele Dazeem.”
Travolta got a playful nod in the following year when Cher introduced him as “Glom Gazingo.”
Clearly, live award shows thrive on these unpredictable, hilarious moments.
