Karol G will receive the International Artist Award for Excellence at the 2026 American Music Awards. She will also perform at the ceremony.
By Carlos Passage
This award, last given to Whitney Houston in 2009, recognizes an artist whose music and cultural influence have resonated globally, inspiring and impacting audiences worldwide. Karol G joins a select list of stars who have received the award in the past, including Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Rod Stewart.
“Karol G has redefined what it means to be a global artist. Thanks to her authenticity, groundbreaking achievements, and powerful connection with her fans around the world, she has helped bring Latin music to the world in an unprecedented way,” says the press release from Dick Clark Productions, the company organizing the event.
Karol G has over 128 billion streams on streaming platforms. Her groundbreaking 2023 album, Mañana Será Bonito, made history by becoming the first Spanish-language album by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the U.S. chart of best-selling albums. Her eponymous 62-show tour sold over 2.3 million tickets and grossed $300 million.
The 2026 American Music Awards will air on Memorial Day, May 25, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on CBS and Paramount+.
