The Grammys are supposed to be smooth, glamorous, perfectly scripted, and drama-free — but let’s be real, the moments everyone remembers are usually the messy ones. And at the 2026 Grammy Awards, legendary singer Cher delivered one of those unforgettable moments that had the entire internet buzzing within seconds.
But while social media was split between shock, laughter, and secondhand embarrassment, SZA — one of the night’s big winners — is making it crystal clear: she’s not mad, not offended, and honestly? She thinks the whole thing was kinda perfect.
Here’s what went down…
During the Record of the Year presentation on Sunday night, Cher — yes, THE Cher, music royalty, fashion icon, living legend — took the stage to announce the winner alongside a packed list of nominees. The anticipation in the room was thick, cameras were rolling, and millions were watching live.
Then… chaos (well, light chaos).
Instead of immediately saying “Luther” — the Kendrick Lamar and SZA collaboration that ultimately won — Cher accidentally read out “Luther Vandross” first. For a split second, the room went silent, fans at home were confused, and Twitter (sorry, X) exploded with “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!”
Cher quickly corrected herself, clarified the actual winner, and the show moved on — but the internet? Oh, the internet did NOT move on that easily.
Memes, clips, slow-motion replays, side-by-side comparisons, think pieces, and hot takes flooded every platform. Some people roasted the moment, others defended Cher, and a few simply labeled it “icon behavior.”
But the most important person in this equation — SZA — isn’t bothered in the slightest.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the R&B superstar addressed the mix-up with nothing but grace, humor, and respect.
She explained that Cher saying “Luther Vandross” before “Luther” actually made the moment even more meaningful to her. Why? Because Kendrick and SZA’s song “Luther” samples Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s classic track “If This World Were Mine.”
So in SZA’s eyes, Cher wasn’t really messing up — she was spiritually aligning.
SZA broke it down beautifully, saying that Vandross’ energy “allowed us to win and that allowed it to be memorable.” Translation: the universe was working, not failing.
She went even deeper, pointing out that Cher and Luther Vandross came from the same era of music — a golden age where soulful vocals, real artistry, and undeniable star power ruled the charts. In other words, it makes complete sense that Cher’s brain would connect those dots in that moment.
SZA didn’t stop there, either.
She went on to say that artists like herself and Kendrick are “mooching off” the greatness Luther Vandross already gave the world — not in a shady way, but in a deeply respectful, musical lineage kind of way. She made it clear that she feels grateful to stand on the shoulders of legends like him.
That level of humility from someone as successful as SZA? Rare. And refreshing.
But her admiration for Cher goes way beyond just that Grammy moment.
SZA also recalled a recent encounter with the pop icon at a tribute show — and honestly, her reaction was pure fangirl energy.
According to SZA, when she saw Cher up close, she was completely stunned by her presence and beauty. She said Cher looked her straight in the eyes, and in that moment, SZA literally froze.
She described herself as “befuddled,” which might be the cutest way anyone has ever described meeting Cher.
SZA admitted she completely forgot how to speak, lost all composure, and basically melted in front of the legend. If that isn’t relatable, I don’t know what is.
She also expressed deep love for Cher, calling her her “queen of clubs” twin card — which, in SZA language, basically means they’re both powerful, creative, passionate women who dominate their own lanes.
In other words? Mutual respect between two queens.
Meanwhile, TMZ caught up with actor and comedian Brandon T. Jackson to get his take on the whole situation. Even though he acknowledged that Cher technically made a mistake, he wasn’t here for any slander.
He called her a straight-up “legend,” reminding everyone that even icons are human — and honestly, that’s what makes them even more iconic.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t some career-ending blunder or disrespectful moment. It was just a live TV slip-up that added personality, history, and unexpected drama to an already star-studded night.
If anything, it made the Record of the Year win even more memorable.
And now, fans are lowkey hoping this whole thing sparks some kind of collaboration.
Imagine this: Cher hopping on a future SZA track — maybe a remix, maybe a sample, maybe a full duet. The internet would absolutely lose it.
For now, though, SZA is taking the high road, shutting down negativity, and celebrating both her win and the legends who came before her.
One thing is certain: this Grammy moment will be talked about for years — not as a flop, but as a perfectly imperfect, iconic television moment brought to you by Cher.
And if SZA isn’t mad about it… nobody else should be either.
