AceShowbiz - Karol G is set to be honored with the International Artist Award of Excellence and will perform at the upcoming 52nd American Music Awards, as announced by CBS and Dick Clark Productions on Wednesday, May 13.

This distinguished award, last presented to Whitney Houston in 2009, celebrates an artist whose music and cultural influence have made a significant global impact, inspiring fans worldwide. The Colombian superstar joins an elite group of previous recipients, including Aerosmith, Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Rod Stewart.

Executive producers Barry Adelman (evp, television) and Alexi Mazareas (svp, programming and development, Dick Clark Productions) issued a joint statement, saying, "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." They added, "We are proud to honor Karol G with the International Artist Award of Excellence for her extraordinary impact on music and culture worldwide."

Karol G has continued to break new ground in Latin music and beyond. In April, she made history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella, delivering a memorable and celebratory performance. Her recently announced Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour tour, which begins on July 24 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, sold a staggering 2 million tickets within just four days. The tour has expanded from 39 to 63 confirmed stadium shows globally, with multiple cities adding second, third, and even fourth nights due to overwhelming demand.

This massive tour supports her 2025 album, Tropicoqueta, which debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums Chart last June. Furthermore, the album has earned her three AMA nominations this year, including one for best Latin album.

With over 128 billion career streams and more than 310 RIAA Platinum certifications in the U.S., Karol G stands as the only female artist to have won 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. Additionally, her Mañana Será Bonito Tour featured a multi-continent stadium and arena run, selling more than 2.3 million tickets across 62 shows and grossing over $300 million.

The 2026 American Music Awards will be broadcast live on Memorial Day, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event will air on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Queen Latifah will host the star-studded show, which will include performances from Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, and others. Tickets for the event are currently available on AXS.

This year’s nominations are led by Taylor Swift with eight nods, followed closely by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr, each with seven.

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