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Jimmie Allen at the 2022 Grammys (left) and Vicente Fernández (right).
The late great Vicente Fernandez, an iconic Mexican performer who died in December, was honored posthumously at the 2022 Grammys with an award presented by American country singer Jimmie Allen. But in an uncomfortable onstage gaffe, Allen didn't realize that Fernandez had died.
The 2022 Grammys, held Sunday in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, marked a return to a fully in-person ceremony since the pandemic began, featuring a stunning guitar-shredding performance by H.E.R. with Travis Barker and Lenny Kravitz, a toe-tapping performance by BTS, and of course, some Will Smith slap jokes from Trevor Noah.
But an awkward moment slipped nearly under the radar.
Fernandez, who died at age 81 in December, left a legacy that stretched far beyond Jalisco, Mexico, and into the roots of Southern California. "El Rey de la Música Ranchera" sold more than 65 million albums in a decades-long career that brought him international fame. His most memorable songs include "Por Tu Maldito Amor," "Aca Entre Nos" and "Estos Celos."
Vicente Fernandez (Photo by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage)
Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez speaks to the audience during a press conference on February 17, 2009, in Bogota. Fernandez will play in Bogota and nine other cities as part of his “Para Siempre” tour 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mauricio DUE-AS (Photo credit should read MAURICIO DUENAS/AFP via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 14: Vicente Fernandez performs in concert at the HP Pavilion on April 14, 2013 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/FilmMagic)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Vicente Fernández performs onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Alex Fernandez, Vicente Fernandez and Alejandro Fernández perform onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)
MIAMI – OCTOBER 10: Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez performs at AmericanAirlines Arena on October 10, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Olivia Salazar/WireImage)
Mexican singer, actor and film producer Vicente Fernandez, known as ‘El Rey de la Musica Ranchera’ (The King of Ranchera Music), sings during the unveiling of a life-size statue in his honour, at the Mariachis square in Guadalajara, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on October 6, 2019. – Fernandez, the most important representative of ranchera music in Mexico, was honoured for his musical career. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP) (Photo by ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images)
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA – JUNE 12: Mexican musician Vincente Fernandez sings 12 June 1999 during his concert in Managua, Nicaragua. El musico Mexicano Vicente Fernandez canta 12 de Junio de 1999 durante su presentacion en Managua, Nicaragua. Fernandez cantante de musica ranchera se presento en Nicaragua durante una gira por varios paises de Centroamerica. (Photo credit should read RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – OCTOBER 14: Singer Vicente Fernandez performs to start the Opening Ceremony for the XVI Pan American Games at Omnilife Stadium on October 14, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 28: Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez presents new album El Hombre Que Mas Te Amo during a press conference a Intercontinental Hotel on October 28, 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Alejandro Godinez/Clasos.com/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Vicente Fernandez, LARAS Person of the Year receipent, performs “Aca Entre Nos” and “Tantita Pena” at the 3rd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Kodak Theater. (Photo by M. Caulfield/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD – SEPTEMBER 16: Singer Vicente Fernandez performs during rehearsals for the 3rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. The Latin Grammy Awards will be held Septemeber 18 in Hollywood. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD – SEPTEMBER 17: Recording Artist Vicente Fernandez performs at the LARAS Person of the Year Tribute Presentation and Gala in his honor at the Kodak Theatre Grand Ballroom on September 17, 2002 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Allen was not familiar with his body of work.
"And the Grammy goes to... Vicente Fernandez."
After announcing that Fernandez had won, cheers rang out from the crowd.
Then Allen said, "They're not here either. So congratulations. This is a great honor to everyone that's won tonight. Even though you can't be here, it's still special. I will accept this on their behalf."
Fans of Fernandez took to Twitter, and they were not pleased.
"Jimmie Allen accepted a Grammy in behalf of Vicente Fernandez because "Vicente couldn't be there". Yeah, he couldn't. He died last year," a Twitter user said, with the face palm emoji.
"HE DOESN'T KNOW VICENTE FERNANDEZ IS NOT ALIVE I- " another user said, with a shocked Oprah gif.
"You guys need to get a Latino to present the Latin categories. The presenter tried, but he couldn't pronounce the names and didn't even knew Vicente Fernandez is dead," another Twitter user said.
That's not to say that some country stars haven't recognized the late legend.
When Fernandez died, the "King of Country" George Strait paid tribute to the "King of Rancheras," saying Fernandez was "one of his heroes."
