Cher accepted a top honor at this year’s Grammy Awards, a night that also included an unexpected onstage mix-up involving the music icon on Sunday night TV.

Cher’s appearance at the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, unfolded in stages, beginning with her acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award honoring her decades-long career.

Her remarks and the way the honor was presented by host Trevor Noah quickly drew reactions from viewers watching the broadcast.

Later in the ceremony, another onstage moment involving the “Strong Enough” hitmaker added an unexpected development to the night.

Cher’s Moment on the Stage

At the ceremony, Cher accepted the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, earning a standing ovation as she walked onto the stage, according to Rolling Stone.

She then asked the audience to sit, shifting the moment from applause to reflection. From there, she began looking back on how early success shaped her expectations before the realities of the industry set in.

“I 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 twenties, actually,” Cher said. “But it didn’t occur to me how rough my career was going to be and my life was going to be. And I’m not saying, ‘Oh, poor me,’ but whatever. I was either a loser or winning an Oscar. I’m sure a lot of you in the audience know what I’m talking about.”

She then described a difficult stretch in the early 1980s, when her career slowed, and opportunities faded. She said she turned to Las Vegas, which was widely viewed at the time as a last stop for artists. After being dropped by her record label, she was later signed by another, leading to the release of “Believe.”

She continued, “I was the first artist to use autotune. We didn’t call it that. There wasn’t such a thing as auto-tune — it was a pitch machine. You guys are going to know what I’m talking about, right?”

Toward the end of her speech, Cher shifted away from personal history and focused on what she hoped others would take from her experience.

“The thing I want to tell you, the only thing I wanted you to take away with you, and I’ve been in this business,” she said. “Never give up on your dream, no matter what happens. Live it, be it, and if it’s not happening now, it will happen soon.”

As the ceremony continued, viewers began focusing less on Cher’s remarks and more on how the award was presented.

Viewer Reaction Online

On X, some viewers questioned whether Cher’s Lifetime Achievement Award received the level of ceremony and recognition they expected. Another wrote, “Why would Noah just hand her the Grammy without any introduction? That was so messed up. And then he called her to come back to the stage to present. She was treated terribly.”

Another post said, “CHER was getting HER lifetime achievement award. but like why wasn’t anyone up there initially to introduce her/ hand the award. also it was strange to then make her announce record of the year and not have anyone there to hand her the award envelope [sic]. #GRAMMYs 🤨”

Similar reactions appeared on Facebook. “She deserved better than just being handed a lifetime achievement award that way. I think she was truly bewildered and not at all expecting that. It threw her off. She’s an icon for sure. Fabulously rocking it!” one commenter wrote.

Other responses emphasized Cher’s legacy rather than the presentation itself. “An absolute Icon! Cher is a true Superstar n [sic] has always done it her way! Blessings,” one post read. Another added, “Love Cher before, now and forever ❤️❤️❤️ She should receive every award ❣️.”

Another moment featuring Cher onstage also drew attention later in the ceremony.

A Moment of Confusion

Cher sparked another widely shared moment later in the ceremony while presenting the award for Record of the Year. According to Variety, the brief mix-up unfolded as she opened the envelope and paused before announcing the winner.

After a brief pause, Cher laughed and said she had been told the winner’s name would appear on the teleprompter. When she saw the song title “Luther,” she mistakenly announced that the award was going to the late singer Luther Vandross before realizing the error.

She quickly corrected herself, clarifying that the Grammy was awarded to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their song “Luther.” The correction was met with laughter in the room.

During their acceptance, the artists acknowledged the moment and pointed out the connection behind the song’s title. “Luther,” from Lamar’s album “GNX,” is named in tribute to Luther, who died in 2005, and samples his and Cheryl Lynn’s cover of Marvin Gaye’s “If This World Were Mine.”

Beyond the speeches and reactions throughout the ceremony, the Grammys unfolded as a night marked by major wins, notable returns, and first-time milestones across genres.

As previously reported, the awards honored recordings released over the past year across 95 categories.

While many fans focused on the top prizes, a deeper look at the official Grammy Awards winners list shows a ceremony shaped by quiet sweeps, crossover dominance and cultural firsts.

The Big Four

The ceremony’s opening awards immediately pointed to two artists who would define the night. Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny each secured one of the Grammys’ most visible prizes before the broadcast had fully settled.

Record Of The Year: “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Album Of The Year: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny

Song Of The Year: “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish, written by Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

With those announcements, it became clear the evening would not revolve around a single sweep but around repeated returns by a few central figures.

Pop

Pop categories rewarded big vocals and big moments, while also setting up at least one name that would keep resurfacing later.

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Messy” by Lola Young

Best Pop Duo Or Group Performance: “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Best Pop Vocal Album: “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s win became a flashpoint in the room and online, as viewers focused not only on the trophy, but on who did – and did not – react.

Dance and Electronic

Dance and electronic awards leaned into atmosphere and production, and Gaga’s name popped up again as her night quietly expanded beyond pop.

Best Dance Or Electronic Recording: “End Of Summer” by Tame Impala

Best Dance Pop Recording: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga

Best Dance Or Electronic Album: “EUSEXUA” by FKA twigs

Best Remixed Recording: “Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix)” by Lady Gaga, remixed by Gesaffelstein

By this point, the multi-category pattern was hard to miss.

The Alleged Snub People Could Not Stop Talking About

After Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album, attention turned to Miley Cyrus’ reaction. According to Page Six, Miley allegedly remained seated and did not clap as Gaga accepted her award.

On social media, the moment sparked a wave of posts and reaction clips.

One viral X post captured the tone of the conversation. “Miley’s face during lady gaga winning? EXCUSE ME ?!” it read.

Rock and Alternative

Rock categories split recognition between high-energy performances and long-established acts, with repeat wins for Turnstile and The Cure.

Best Rock Performance: “Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning” by YUNGBLUD, featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, and II

Best Metal Performance: “BIRDS” by Turnstile

Best Rock Song: “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” by Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, songwriters

Best Rock Album: “NEVER ENOUGH” by Turnstile

Best Alternative Music Performance: “Alone” by The Cure

Best Alternative Music Album: “Songs Of A Lost World” by The Cure

The Cure’s dual wins stood out as one of the night’s clearest statements about longevity and relevance.

R and B

R and B categories highlighted consistency, with Kehlani and Leon Thomas each appearing multiple times across performance and album honors.

Best R and B Performance: “Folded” by Kehlani

Best Traditional R and B Performance: “VIBES DON’T LIE” by Leon Thomas

Best R and B Song: “Folded” by Kehlani, Darius Dixson, Andre Harris, Donovan Knight, Don Mills, Kehlani Parrish, Khris Riddick-Tynes, and Dawit Kamal Wilson, songwriters

Best Progressive R and B Album: “BLOOM” by Durand Bernarr

Best R and B Album: “MUTT” by Leon Thomas

Rap

Rap categories increasingly centered on Kendrick Lamar as the night progressed, with his name resurfacing across both collaborative and solo work.

Best Rap Performance: “Chains and Whips” by Clipse, Pusha T, and Malice featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams

Best Melodic Rap Performance: “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Best Rap Song: “tv off” by Kendrick Lamar, written by Jack Antonoff, Larry Jayy, Kendrick Lamar, Dijon McFarlane, Sean Momberger, Mark Anthony Spears, and Kamasi Washington

Best Rap Album: “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar

By this stage, Kendrick had appeared repeatedly across the most prominent rap categories.

The History-Making Win Hiding in Plain Sight

Bad Bunny’s Album of the Year win carried a historic first. As reported by Rolling Stone Philippines, he became the first Latin artist to win the Grammys’ top album prize in the show’s 68-year history.

That detail changed the meaning of the night’s biggest trophy: it was not just a win, it was a line in the record books.

Jazz, Theater, and Traditional Pop

Jazz and theater categories emphasized musicianship and live performance, spreading recognition across soloists, ensembles, and legacy recordings.

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: “Words For Days Vol. 1” by Mad Skillz

Best Jazz Performance: “Windows – Live” by Chick Corea, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade

Best Jazz Vocal Album: “Portrait” by Samara Joy

Best Jazz Instrumental Album: “Southern Nights” by Sullivan Fortner, featuring Peter Washington and Marcus Gilmore

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “Without Further Ado, Vol. 1” by Christian McBride Big Band

Best Latin Jazz Album: “A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole” by Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta, and Joey Calveiro

Best Alternative Jazz Album: “LIVE-ACTION” by Nate Smith

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “A Matter, Time” by Laufey

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: “Brightside” by ARKAI

Best Musical Theater Album: “Buena Vista Social Club”, Marco Paguia, Dean Sharenow, and David Yazbek, producers

Country, Roots, and Americana

Country and Americana awards leaned into storytelling and tradition, while also giving Mavis Staples a notable two-win moment in roots categories.

Best Country Solo Performance: “Bad As I Used To Be” by Chris Stapleton, from F1 The Movie

Best Country Duo Or Group Performance: “Amen” by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll

Best Country Song: “Bitin’ List” by Tyler Childers, songwriter

Best Traditional Country Album: “Ain’t In It For My Health” by Zach Top

Best Contemporary Country Album: “Beautifully Broken” by Jelly Roll

Best American Roots Performance: “Beautiful Strangers” by Mavis Staples

Best Americana Performance: “Godspeed” by Mavis Staples

Best American Roots Song: “Ancient Light” by I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins

Best Americana Album: “BIG MONEY” by Jon Batiste

Best Bluegrass Album: “Highway Prayers” by Billy Strings

Best Traditional Blues Album: “Ain’t Done With The Blues” by Buddy Guy

Best Contemporary Blues Album: “Preacher Kids” by Robert Randolph

Best Folk Album: “Wild And Clear And Blue” by I’m With Her

Best Regional Roots Music Album: “A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco”, Various Artists

Gospel, Christian, and Global Music

Faith-based and global categories reflected the ceremony’s wide scope, with Bad Bunny continuing to appear across genres.

Best Gospel Performance or Song: “Come Jesus Come” by CeCe Winans, featuring Shirley Caesar

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance or Song: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake, with Jelly Roll

Best Gospel Album: “Heart Of Mine” by Darrel Walls and PJ Morton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: “Coritos Vol. 1” by Israel and New Breed

Best Roots Gospel Album: “I Will Not Be Moved – Live” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Best Latin Pop Album: “Cancionera” by Natalia Lafourcade

Best Música Urbana Album: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny

Best Latin Rock Or Alternative Album: “PAPOTA” by CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso

Best Musica Mexicana Album: “Palabra De To’s – Seca” by Carin Leon

Best Tropical Latin Album: “Raices” by Gloria Estefan

Best Global Music Performance: “EoO” by Bad Bunny

Best African Music Performance: “PUSH 2 START” by Tyla

Best Global Music Album: “Caetano e Bethania Ao Vivo” by Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethania

Best Reggae Album: “BLXXD and FYAH” by Keznamdi

Visual Media, Comedy, and Packaging

Behind-the-scenes categories highlighted the technical craft of albums, films, and live entertainment, while comedy and narration remained audience-friendly staples.

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album: “NOMADICA” by Carla Patullo, featuring The Scorchio Quartet and Tonality

Best Children’s Music Album: “Harmony” by FYUTCH and Aura V

Best Comedy Album: “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” by Nate Bargatze

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: “Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama”, Dalai Lama

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: “Sinners” by Various Artists

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: “Sinners” by Ludwig Gorransson

Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media: “Sword of the Sea” by Austin Wintory

Best Song Written For Visual Media: “Golden,” from “KPop Demon Hunters”

Best Music Video: “Anxiety” by Doechii

Best Music Film: “Music By John Williams,” John Williams

The Red Carpet Look That Stole the Spotlight

Chappell Roan arrived in a burgundy, opaque chiffon cape – a custom Mugler design – and the color perfectly matched her hair. As detailed by The New York Times, she later removed the cape to reveal a barely-there, opaque floor-length skirt held in place by nipple piercings.

It was a reveal built for headlines, and it instantly became one of the night’s defining visuals.

The Comeback Performance That Had Everyone Looking Twice

Justin Bieber’s performance added another layer to the night’s conversation. According to People, he performed “Yukon” wearing only boxers and socks, revealing a new tattoo across his back that fans speculated resembled his wife Hailey’s face.

It was stripped-down, attention-grabbing, and instantly replayable – the kind of moment that travels long after the winners list is finalized.

Classical and Technical Categories

As the ceremony moved into classical and technical honors, the focus shifted to engineering, composition, and performance details that rarely go viral but define the craft.

Best Recording Package: “Tracks II: The Lost Albums,” Meghan Foley and Michelle Holme, art directors

Best Album Cover: “CHROMAKOPIA” by art director, Tyler Okonma

Best Album Notes: “Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings” by Ashley Kahn

Best Historical Album: “Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years – 1976 to 1980”

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: “That Wasn’t A Dream”

Best Engineered Album, Classical: “Cerrone: Don’t Look Down”

Producer Of The Year, Classical: Elaine Martone

Best Immersive Audio Album: “Immersed”

Best Instrumental Composition: “First Snow”

Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella: “Super Mario Praise Break”

Best Arrangement, Instruments And Vocals: “Big Fish”

Best Orchestral Performance: “Messiaen: Turangalila-Symphonie”

Best Opera Recording: “Heggie: Intelligence”

Best Choral Performance: “Ortiz: Yanga”

Best Chamber Music Or Small Ensemble Performance: “Dennehy: Land Of Winter”

Best Classical Instrumental Solo: “Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos”

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: “Telemann: Ino – Opera Arias For Soprano”

Best Classical Compendium: “Ortiz: Yanga”

Best Contemporary Classical Composition: “Ortiz: Dzonot”

By the end of the night, the Grammys had delivered what they often do best: not just winners, but moments. Some were official, some were debated, and a few were impossible to look away from.