Karol G is set to make history with an award previously presented to Whitney Houston and Beyoncé - American Music Award

Latin music superstar Karol G is making history once again as she prepares to receive the prestigious International Artist Award of Excellence at the 52nd American Music Awards. The honor has not been awarded since 2009, when music legend Whitney Houston received the recognition. The award celebrates artists whose music and cultural influence have impacted audiences worldwide, placing Karol G among an elite group of global icons including Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, and Aerosmith.

The announcement comes during one of the biggest moments of Karol G’s career. Earlier this year, the Colombian superstar became the first Latina artist ever to headline the famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, delivering a performance that celebrated Latin culture and music on one of the world’s biggest festival stages. Fans and critics praised her energy, stage production, and emotional message to the Latino community during her historic appearance.

Karol G continues to dominate globally with her “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour,” which became an instant success after selling more than 2 million tickets in just four days. Due to overwhelming demand, the tour expanded from 39 dates to 63 shows worldwide, with multiple cities adding second and third performances. The tour supports her hit 2025 album Tropicoqueta, which also earned three American Music Award nominations, including Best Latin Album.

The numbers behind Karol G’s success are massive. She has accumulated more than 128 billion career streams and over 310 RIAA Platinum certifications in the United States. Her groundbreaking album MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO became the first Spanish-language album by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The accompanying world tour grossed more than $300 million and sold over 2.3 million tickets globally, further proving her status as one of the biggest artists in music today.

This year’s American Music Awards will be hosted by Queen Latifah and broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. The star-studded lineup already includes performances from Maluma, Keith Urban, Teddy Swims, Twenty One Pilots, and more. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominations with eight total nods as music fans around the world prepare for one of entertainment’s biggest nights.