Karol G to receive AMA award May 25

Karol G will receive the International Artist Award of Excellence at the 52nd American Music Awards on May 25 and will also perform during the ceremony, according to an announcement from CBS and Dick Clark Productions. The show is scheduled to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. Queen Latifah is set to host the broadcast. The announcement puts the Colombian singer in a small group of artists tied to one of the AMAs’ special honors, with organizers saying the award recognizes global musical and cultural impact. ### What exactly did the AMAs announce about Karol G? CBS and Dick Clark Productions said on May 13 that Karol G will both receive the International Artist Award of Excellence and take the stage as a performer during the May 25 telecast. The announcement came through the American Music Awards’ official site and was echoed by music trade outlets including Billboard. (theamas.com) The award is presented as a recognition for an artist whose music and cultural influence have resonated globally, according to the organizers’ release. Billboard’s report said the honor had not been awarded since Whitney Houston received it in 2009. ### Where and when is the ceremony taking place? (theamas.com) The 2026 American Music Awards are scheduled for Monday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The official AMAs site lists May 25 as the date of the ceremony, and the Karol G announcement says the show will air live that evening. CBS and Dick Clark Productions said the broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. (theamas.com) ET and 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. Reports from Rolling Stone and other outlets matched those details. ### How unusual is this award? Billboard reported that Whitney Houston was the last artist to receive the International Artist Award of Excellence, in 2009. (theamas.com) The AMAs release also described the honor as one reserved for artists with worldwide reach and cultural impact. (theamas.com) Previous recipients cited in coverage of the announcement include Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and the Bee Gees. Those names were listed in reports based on the organizers’ release. ### Who else is involved in this year’s show? (billboard.com) Queen Latifah is set to host the 52nd AMAs, according to the official announcement and the AMAs website. Organizers have also announced additional performers including Maluma, Teddy Swims, Sombr and others. (yahoo.com) Billy Idol is also set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ceremony and perform, according to announcements published on May 15. That places Karol G among multiple artists receiving special recognition during the telecast. (theamas.com) ### Why is this appearance notable for Karol G right now? Karol G’s AMAs booking comes as she remains one of the most prominent Latin music acts in the U.S. awards and touring market. The official release described her as an American Music Award winner and a global music star, while media reports tied the announcement to her recent visibility on major festival and touring stages. (hollywoodreporter.com) Infobae reported that the singer is preparing her “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour,” linked to her latest album, after the AMAs appearance. That report places the May 25 performance within a broader run of live dates already drawing attention in Latin music coverage. (theamas.com) The next public milestone is May 25, when Karol G is scheduled to receive the International Artist Award of Excellence and perform during the live American Music Awards broadcast from Las Vegas on CBS and Paramount+. (theamas.com) (infobae.com)