The Colombian singer also won the award for Best Latin Album

NEED TO KNOW

• Karol G is the first artist to receive the International Artist Award of Excellence since Whitney Houston in 2009
• The Colombian singer recently made history as the first Latina to headline Coachella and dedicated the moment to the Latino community
• Karol G also won the award for Best Latin Album for 2025’s Tropicoqueta

Karol G is receiving her flowers — times two!

At the 52nd American Music Awards on Monday, May 25, the Colombian singer was presented with the International Artist Award of Excellence by John Legend.

"Wow. What an honor, John, that you gave me this award. It's legend. This is going to be a legend moment in my career for sure," Karol, 35, said with a smile. "I feel very, very grateful. First of all, thank you, God. He allows me to live the most incredible, amazing experience in my life. I want to say that more than anything, this career has given me the most important thing in my life: purpose."

The "Tusa" artist continued, "I found purpose through my music. I'm just happy that I can perform a song, and I can say things in my songs that become a voice for a lot of people. A healing place, a safe place, and I just think that my life is meaningful because of my music and to help others through it."

Karol concluded her speech with a message in Spanish: "For all of my fans all over the world, I love you so much, thank you."

After her speech, Legend, 47, walked back to the mic and revealed that the "BICHOTA" performer won Best Latin Album for Tropicoqueta — and the singer-songwriter screamed in excitement.

Before her award, Karol also took the stage for a special performance of "Ivonny Bonita," which was featured on Tropicoqueta.

The International Artist Award of Excellence — which recognizes artists whose music and cultural influence have resonated around the world — was last awarded to Whitney Houston in 2009. Aerosmith, Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart have also received the award.

In a press release announcing her International Artist Award of Excellence, executive producers Barry Adelman and Alexi Mazareas praised Karol's global impact on music and culture.

"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 said. “We are proud to honor Karol G with the International Artist Award of Excellence for her extraordinary impact on music and culture worldwide."

Check out all of PEOPLE's AMAs coverage here.

In April, Karol became the first Latina artist to headline Coachella and soaked in the moment with the audience at the festival.

"I want to present myself. I am Carolina from Medellín, Colombia, and today I am the first Latina woman to headline Coachella," she said during the performance. "And I'm very happy and very proud about this, but at the same time it feels late. There has been 27 years of this festival going on, and it's the first time a Latina girl is headlining Coachella."

"So this is not just about me, this is about my Latino community, this is about my people," Karol continued. "And at the same time, this is for my Latinos that have been struggling in this country lately."

Karol's 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. Speaking with PEOPLE in 2024, she opened up about the emotional journey behind her MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO era, which earned her a Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album.

"I'm full of emotions. I can't believe that something this big came off one of the hardest moments of my life," she said at the time. "I was just doing music, trying to heal my heart."

The 52nd American Music Awards aired from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+.

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