Karol G will receive the International Artist Award of Excellence at the 52nd American Music Awards. The accolade was last received by Whitney Houston in 2009 and recognizes artists with an outsized and global impact on culture and music.
The Colombian trailblazer has also been announced as a performer at this year’s ceremony, where she is nominated in three categories, including Best Latin Album, Best Latin Song (“Latina Foreva”), and Best Female Latin Artist.
“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 & Development, Dick Clark Productions said in a statement.
It’s easy to see why Karol is receiving this award. Her 2023 record Mañana Será Bonito marked the first time a Spanish-language album by a woman topped the Billboard 200, and her 2025 follow-up Tropicoqueta reached Number Three on the chart. Karol’s Coachella headlining performance was the first time a Latina headlined the massive music festival and featured cameos from other Latin stars like Becky G, J Balvin, Ryan Castro, and Peso Pluma. Shortly following her festival slot, she announced the Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour, which will take her across the globe starting this summer and through next July.
Karol G released her fifth studio album Tropicoqueta last June via Bichota/Interscope, and it was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards. In 2025, Rolling Stone named the Latina star one of the Voices of the Year. Though it is unconfirmed, Karol G is rumored to be featured on Drake’s upcoming album, Iceman.
The 2026 American Music Awards will broadcast on Monday, May 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET via CBS/Paramount+, with Queen Latifah set to host the star-studded event. Katseye, Maluma, Sombr, Teyana Taylor, and more are set to perform.
Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation, which is also the parent company of Rolling Stone.
