The 2026 Grammy Awards aired on CBS on February 1, from Los Angeles. Among the winners were Kendrick Lamar And SZA for their 2025 hit single, “Luther.” Music legend Dear awarded the record of the year prize to the duo. However, after seeing the name of the song, the icon announced that Luther Vandrosswho died in 2005, won the category. Now, SZA is defending Cher and sharing the story of their first meeting.
SZA loves Cher and says she understands the accident.
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SZA has nothing but kind words for Cher
SZA interviewed Entertainment Tonight while attending the 2026 Grammy Awards. The interviewer mentioned Cher’s mistake and asked for the singer’s reaction. She said, “Well, we share the frequency of the song. Like it was the frequency that made us win and made it memorable.”
SZA continued, “So she’s not wrong, and she’s from that era. Like, she probably really knew Luthor Vandross. Of course, her brain and her energy connects that energy to the energy that we share. We don’t care what Luthor has already given us. Thanks, Luthor.”
Regarding Lemar and SZA’s song, it samples Vandross’ “If This World Were Mine” from 1982. The song was a hit, spending 13 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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The singer also revealed her meeting with Cher
During the brief Entertainment Tonight interview, SZA also discussed her love for Cher and revealed their first meeting. She said: “I had been talking to Cher at the Cyndi Lauper tribute and I was so taken aback by her beauty. She looked me in the eye and I was like… I just stopped talking. I don’t know what happened to me.”
She added: “But I love Cher. She’s my twin card. She’s a queen of clubs. Go ahead and Google what that means. Cyndi Lauper The tribute took place in October 2025. Titled “A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live from the Hollywood Bowl,” it included artists such as Joni Mitchell And Jean Legendin addition to Cher and SZA.
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Fans praised SZA for her grace
After the interview, many fans took to the comments section to praise SZA for her response about Cher. Many notably felt that the journalist was looking for a negative reaction from the singer. One person wrote on TikTok: “SZA is too spiritual to put up with any embarrassment. They tried it with her.” Another fan wrote, “Y’all tried to embarrass Cher, and Sza said no.”
Someone else said: “That’s actually a great answer and a bad answer to a bad question.” Another TikTok user said: “Sza knows how to give GRACE like the fairy she is.” Someone else replied: “Honestly, Luther won too. »
Finally, another person proposed a theory about the confusion. They said: “Y’all forgot that Cher also has dyslexia, so her confusion is understandable, and people need to stop attacking her for an honest mistake.”
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Others in the comments section were pleased that the R&B icon’s name was mentioned after the ceremony, pointing out that his legacy remains intact 20 years after his death in 2005.
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She recently opened up about her working relationship with Kendrick Lamar
SZA recently finished touring with Lamar for his worldwide “Grand National Tour.” This follows the success of “Luther” and her appearance with him during the 2025 Super Bowl. She discussed her relationship with the rapper in an interview with GQ in November 2025.
She said: “He’s such a professional human. The way he approaches everything is so methodical but fluid. It’s beautiful. I just tried to observe. And you know, he’s so mature. I love working with him. And it’s funny, when I do it, I don’t ask any questions. I just do it. And I like it as a freedom too. It’s like removing choice creates freedom.”
She then joked, “I know that sounds so crazy to say in a time like this. I’m sure it’ll be the headline: ‘Removing Choice Creates Freedom. SZA Loves Fascism.'”
She is working on a new album
SZA released her latest album, “SOS Delux: Lana,” in December 2024. She confirmed in her GQ interview that she is recording new music. She told the outlet: “It’s been about a month and a half since I came home. [from tour]. I came back and started doing some stupid things.”
She continued, “I don’t know why I’m back in the studio making a whole other album, just doing a bunch of shit. Hanging out of my house for days on end. I feel so exhausted.”
It should be noted, however, that SZA has no immediate plans to release a new album although she is in the studio.
