Karol G to Receive International Artist Award of Excellence at the 2026 American Music Awards

Karol G will be honored with the International Artist Award of Excellence at the 52nd American Music Awards on Monday, May 25, 2026. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Queen Latifah hosting. Karol G is also slated to perform, alongside acts such as Hootie & the Blowfish and Maluma.

People Magazine

Over the past three years Karol G has broken records. Her 2023 album *Mañana Será Bonito* was the first Spanish-language album by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In April 2026 she became the first Latina artist to headline Coachella, a generational milestone. The 2025 album *Tropicoqueta* earned three AMA nominations, including Best Latin Album, and a Grammy nod for Best Latin Pop Album. She has amassed over 128 billion streams and 310 RIAA Platinum certifications in the U.S. The “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour,” supporting *Tropicoqueta*, sold over 2 million tickets in four days, expanding from 39 to 63 stadium dates. Her earlier “Mañana Será Bonito Tour” sold 2.3 million tickets across 62 shows and grossed over $300 million.

KAROL G to Perform at AMAs, Receive Honor Not Given Since Whitney Houston

Observers note that Karol G’s success has amplified Latin music’s presence on charts and festival lineups, breaking language and gender barriers. The International Artist Award of Excellence, last presented in 2009 to Whitney Houston, honors artists whose cultural influence resonates worldwide; past recipients include Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart.

KAROL G to Receive the International Artist Award of Excellence

Dick Clark Productions executives Barry Adelman (EVP, Television) and Alexi Mazareas (SVP, Programming & Development) praised Karol G’s “authenticity, groundbreaking achievements and powerful connection with fans,” saying she “has helped bring Latin music to unprecedented heights.” The AMAs press release noted the award honors artists whose music “inspires and impacts audiences around the world,” and that it has not been awarded since Whitney Houston in 2009.

Billboard

• “Karol G has redefined what it means to be a global artist. Through her authenticity, groundbreaking achievements, and powerful connection with fans around the world, she has helped bring Latin music to unprecedented heights,” — Barry Adelman & Alexi Mazareas, Dick Clark Productions

Rolling Stone

• “We are proud to honor Karol G with the International Artist Award of Excellence for her extraordinary impact on music and culture worldwide.” — Barry Adelman & Alexi Mazareas, Dick Clark Productions

People Magazine

• “I want to present myself. I am Carolina from Medellín, Colombia and today I am the first Latina woman to headline Coachella,” — Karol G

People Magazine

• “So this is not just about me, this is about my Latino community, this is about my people,” — Karol G

People Magazine

After the AMAs, Karol G will resume her “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour,” with stadium dates through July 2027. A possible feature on Drake’s upcoming album *Iceman* is unconfirmed.

Rolling Stone