Karol G lands one of the AMAs’ biggest honors as she prepares for live performance

• Colombian superstar Karol G will take center stage at the 2026 American Music Awards as she receives the prestigious International Artist of Excellence Award.

• This recognition places the “Bichota” in the pantheon of music legends alongside icons like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Whitney Houston.

• In addition to receiving the award, the artist will deliver a live performance during the ceremony, which will broadcast this May 25 from Las Vegas.

Karol G’s meteoric rise to the top of the music industry reached a new and glorious milestone. This Wednesday, May 13, CBS and Dick Clark Productions confirmed that the Medellín-born artist will receive the “International Artist of Excellence Award” at the 52nd edition of the American Music Awards. This represents a historic achievement, as the organization paused this award for 17 years, with Whitney Houston being the last recipient in 2009.

With this distinction, the Colombian singer joins a select group of icons including Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin and Beyoncé. The award celebrates her sales figures and her cultural influence, which successfully pushed the boundaries of Spanish-language music across five continents.

Authenticity and connection with her fans

The gala’s executive producers highlighted her authenticity and her “powerful connection with fans around the world,” factors that proved decisive in helping Latin music reach unprecedented heights.

 

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This recognition arrives at a moment of absolute peak performance for Karol G, who recently made history as the first Latina woman to headline the Coachella festival. Furthermore, her commercial success remains unparalleled; her “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour” sold an astounding 2 million tickets in just four days, forcing organizers to expand the tour from 39 to 63 dates in international stadiums.

The road to the big night in Las Vegas

The 2026 AMAs ceremony, taking place on May 25 (Memorial Day) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will feature a live performance by the Colombian star. Fans expect her to perform tracks from her latest album, Tropicoqueta, which debuted at number one on the Latin charts and earned her three nominations this year, including Best Latin Album.

Karol G arrives at the gala with an impeccable track record:

• Billboard Milestone: Her album Mañana Será Bonito became the first by a woman in Spanish to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

• Streams: She exceeds 128 billion streams throughout her career.

• Revenue: Her previous tour generated over $300 million, demonstrating her massive drawing power.

The gala, hosted by Queen Latifah, will see Karol G share the stage with other heavyweights such as Maluma, Keith Urban, and Hootie & the Blowfish.