Grammys Viewers Defend Cher After She Was 'Treated Terribly' despite Her Lifetime Achievement Award

The 79-year-old hitmaker accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, a moment that prompted immediate, strong reactions from viewers.

Cher returned to the Grammy Awards stage on February 1, 2026, to be honored for a career that has shaped popular music for decades.

As she addressed the audience, her remarks traced the long arc of her time in the industry, while the presentation itself soon became a subject of conversation among viewers following the broadcast.

Cher made a special appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards to accept the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, earning a standing ovation as she walked onto the stage, according to Rolling Stone.

She asked the audience to sit before speaking, setting a measured and reflective tone. She began by looking back on how early success shaped her expectations before the realities of the industry became clear.

"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."

Her remarks then turned to the instability that followed, describing periods when momentum faded and opportunities narrowed.

"In the early Eighties it got so bad that I had to go to Las Vegas. It was called the 'elephant's graveyard' in those days," she said. She added that after being dropped by her label, another took a chance on her, resulting in the recording 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. Some expressed disappointment that the honor lacked a formal introduction or extended tribute.

On X, one viewer 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 ❣️."

Even amid debate over presentation, the moment reinforced Cher's place as a figure whose career continues to resonate well beyond the stage.