Karol G to Accept International Artist Award of Excellence, Perform at 2026 American Music Awards

Karol G will receive the International Artist Award of Excellence and perform at the 52nd American Music Awards, CBS an Dick Clark Productions announced Wednesday (May 13).

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This honor, last awarded to Whitney Houston in 2009, recognizes an artist whose music and cultural influence has resonated globally, inspiring and impacting audiences around the world. The Colombian superstar joins a select list of past honorees that also includes Aerosmith, Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart.

“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,” executive producers Barry Adelman (evp, television) and Alexi Mazareas (svp, programming and development, Dick Clark Productions) said in a joint statement. “We are proud to honor Karol G with the International Artist Award of Excellence for her extraordinary impact on music and culture worldwide.”

Karol, who in April made history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella, keeps pushing barriers in Latin music and beyond. Her recently announced Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour, which starts July 24 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, sold 2 million tickets in just four days, expanding from 39 to 63 confirmed stadium shows worldwide, with multiple cities adding second, third and fourth nights due to overwhelming demand. The tour is in support of her 2025 album, Tropicoqueta , which  debuted at No. 1  on Top Latin Albums Chart last June and earned her three AMA nominations this year, including best Latin album.

With more than 128 billion career streams and more than 310 RIAA Platinum certifications in the U.S., Karol G is also the only female artist to win the Grammy Award for best música urbana album. Her groundbreaking 2023 album Mañana Será Bonito made history as the first Spanish-language album by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 , and her Mañana Será Bonito Tour — a multi-continent run across stadiums and arenas worldwide — sold more than 2.3 million tickets across 62 shows and grossed $300 million-plus.

The 2026 AMAs will air on Memorial Day, May 25, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Queen Latifah is hosting the show, which will feature performances from Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma and more. Tickets for the star-studded show are now available on AXS .

This year, Taylor Swift leads nominations with eight nods, followed by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr with seven each.

The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/karol-g-amas-international-artist-award-of-excellence-2026-1236246832/)._