Karol G to receive International Artist award

Karol G is set to receive the International Artist Award of Excellence at the 52nd American Music Awards and will also perform during the ceremony, according to a May 13 announcement from CBS and Dick Clark Productions. The show is scheduled for Monday, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Queen Latifah is hosting the broadcast, which will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. The announcement places Karol G in a small group of artists tied to one of the AMAs’ special honors. Organizers said the award recognizes artists whose music and cultural influence have resonated globally. CBS and Dick Clark Productions said the honor was last awarded to Whitney Houston in 2009. ### When was Karol G’s award announced? May 13 was the date CBS, Dick Clark Productions and the American Music Awards published the announcement that Karol G would receive the honor and appear as a performer. The same release said the show would air live on Memorial Day, May 25, at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific. AOL and other entertainment outlets later matched that account, reporting that Karol G would be both an honoree and a performer on the 2026 program. AOL said Whitney Houston was the last recipient of the award, citing the organizers’ announcement. ### What exactly is the International Artist Award of Excellence? (theamas.com) CBS and Dick Clark Productions said the International Artist Award of Excellence is given to artists whose music and cultural influence have connected with audiences around the world. The release described Karol G as a “groundbreaking global music superstar” and an American Music Award winner. (aol.com) AOL reported that previous recipients included Aerosmith, Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart. The same report said Whitney Houston received the award in 2009, making Karol G the next named recipient cited by organizers. ### Why did organizers single out Karol G this year? Barry Adelman and Alexi Mazareas, executive producers of the show, said in the announcement that Karol G “has helped bring Latin music to unprecedented heights.” They said her “electrifying energy, bold creativity and trailblazing impact” had changed the global music landscape. (dickclark.com) (aol.com) People reported that the honor came weeks after Karol G became the first Latina artist to headline Coachella. The outlet also cited the event release as saying her current world tour sold more than 2 million tickets in four days. ### What else is known about the 2026 AMAs broadcast? The 52nd American Music Awards are scheduled for May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to the official AMAs site and other coverage ahead of the show. (yahoo.com) The broadcast will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. UPI reported that Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominees with eight nominations. (people.com) Other pre-show coverage said performers announced for the ceremony include Billy Idol and New Kids on the Block. ### What happens next on May 25? Monday, May 25, is when Karol G is expected to accept the International Artist Award of Excellence and perform live during the telecast from Las Vegas. (theamas.com) The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+, with Queen Latifah hosting from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. (theamas.com) (msn.com)