2026 Grammy Awards Live Updates: Wins And Controversies

Cher delivered one of the most memorable live-TV moments of the 2026 Grammys after accidentally announcing “Luther Vandross” as the winner of Record of the Year.

The award actually went to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their song Luther, which is named in tribute to the late R&B legend Luther Vandross.

After a long pause, Cher laughed and admitted she expected help from the prompt before mistakenly reading the title as the artist’s name.

“The Grammy goes to Luther Vandross.” 

She quickly corrected herself, prompting laughter from Lamar and hugs from SZA as they headed to the stage.

Viewers online were split. Some called it “so funny and cute,” while others admitted the “fumble” was “genuinely painful” to watch. 

“Cher fumbled that announcement so bad lmao,” a fan commented.

Trevor Noah slipped in one of his sharpest jokes of the night during the 2026 Grammys, aiming at Donald Trump following Billie Eilish’s Song of the Year win.

As he transitioned the show, Noah quipped that the Grammy is something every artist wants “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland.” He further noted that since Jeffrey Epstein is gone, Trump “needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

He capped it off by reminding the audience, “It’s my last year—what are you going to do about it?”

The joke landed amid renewed attention on Epstein, just days after millions of related files were released publicly.

Miley Cyrus set social media buzzing during the 2026 Grammys after she noticeably remained seated when Gaga took the stage to accept the Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem. She also won Song of the Year for Abracadabra.

While fellow nominees, including Sabrina Carpenter, stood and applauded, Cyrus stayed put in her black leather look, offering neither a clap nor a rise.

 Fans immediately clocked the moment.

“Miley’s face during Gaga's win? EXCUSE ME?!” one wrote, while another asked, “Now I need an explanation on why Miley sat for Gaga….”

Others were convinced it wasn’t about Gaga at all, pointing instead to Gaga’s producer Andrew Watt. “Miley was never going to stand up when Watt was on stage—it had nothing to do with Gaga,” one fan argued, citing their rumored fallout after Plastic Hearts.

Despite the chatter, Gaga had plenty to celebrate. She now holds 16 Grammy wins in total, including two trophies at the 2026 ceremony.

Billie Eilish took home Song of the Year at the 2026 Grammys for Wildflower, and turned her acceptance speech into one of the night’s most powerful moments.

Standing alongside her brother and collaborator, FINNEAS, Eilish thanked her fellow nominees before shifting gears.

“No one is illegal on stolen land…I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter, and f*ck ICE.”

The statement came just hours after Eilish and FINNEAS walked the red carpet wearing “ICE Out” pins. The crowd responded with loud applause, and online reactions quickly followed.

Several viewers praised her for using the moment. “Now that’s freedom of speech!!!”

Another added, “Absolutely bada$$ for her to say this.”

It marked Eilish’s tenth Grammy win. 

Justin Bieber stunned viewers during the 2026 Grammys with a stripped-down performance of his song Yukon. The 31-year-old took the stage shirtless, wearing only gym shorts and socks, his tattoos fully on display.

At one point, he paused in front of a mirror onstage, staring at his reflection before continuing the song, while cameras cut to Hailey Bieber watching from the audience.

While host Trevor Noah praised the moment as “captivating”, viewers were far less convinced.

Some called his performance dull, with one writing, "It was boring, I almost fell asleep.”

Another mocked the look, saying, “This is the Grammys, not the beach.”

Others joked that the low-energy set felt like the perfect “bathroom break.”

Bad Bunny turned his Grammy win into a moment of protest. While accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album, the Puerto Rican superstar declared “ICE Out” before delivering a powerful message about dignity, love, and identity.

“We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We are humans, and we are Americans,” he said, urging people to fight hate with compassion rather than more anger.

His speech earned him a standing ovation inside the arena and quickly garnered praise for his courage from viewers.

“He consistently gives back to the communities that shaped him,” one wrote.

“Even in broken English, the world understood his message,” another added.

A third summed it up best, “Winning a Grammy and using those 30 seconds to say ICE OUT? That took real guts.”

Olivia Dean officially arrived at the top on Sunday night, making her Grammys debut one to remember.

The British singer-songwriter took home Best New Artist, capping off a breakout year that saw her dominate charts, critics’ lists, and industry buzz. She beat out nominees including KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young.

“I never really imagined that I would be up here,” Dean said during her emotional acceptance speech.

“I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people need to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other."

Fans were quick to celebrate her long-overdue recognition.

“The concept of Olivia Dean finally getting the recognition she deserves—but now people are shading her for no reason,” wrote one.

“People saying ‘she came out of nowhere’… where have you been for the past six years?” said another. “Her album is on repeat,” a third added.

She walked the 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet in a two-tone Chanel gown featuring a glittering black bodice paired with a flowing white skirt, cinched at the waist with a strip of black feathers. She complemented her look with diamond drop earrings and sharp black-and-white art deco heels.

During the 2026 Grammys, Trevor Noah wasted no time making headlines during his opening monologue. Returning for his sixth and final turn as host, Noah made his sharpest jab straight at Nicki Minaj.

He announced Minaj’s absence to loud cheers before launching into a mock Donald Trump impression.

“She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues: ‘Actually, Nicki, I have the biggest a*s, I have it. Everybody’s saying it, Nicki. I know they say it’s you, but it’s me. Womp womp womp, look at it, baby.'”

The crowd audibly lost it.

The joke landed harder given the rapper’s complicated Grammys history. Apparently, she had earned 12 nominations, zero wins.

Online reactions quickly followed as several slammed Noah for poking fun.

“I can’t believe he actually said that! He really doesn’t hold back at all,” said one, while another joked, “It’s like I’m at the zoo, looking at the hyena habitat.”