Karol G is in many ways an entertainment dichotomy. An artist from Colombia who sings mostly in Spanish, but touches any culture. A global force with a decade-long career who is still reaching new fans. A performer who reminds us of generational artists who came before, yet is unique and fresh.
The 35-year-old reggaetón superstar stormed into Allegiant Stadium on Friday night on her “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour.” Her latest album, “No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto,” was released just ahead of the show. Karol pulled four tracks from the new release in Las Vegas.
Among the collaborations on that album is“Still,” with Bruno Mars. This is the rare Karol song in which she sings in English. “I still love you, even with a broken heart,” is a refrain in a song, and album, laden with references to grief and healing.
The pairing of Karol and “The Romantic” superstar sparked speculation that they would perform the song Friday. They didn’t. And Karol didn’t perform the track at Allegiant Stadium. But the two did sing it Thursday night at The Pinky Ring, Mars’ club at Bellagio. And they hung again (but didn’t take the stage) at the club after Friday’s show.
Karol made her debut at Allegiant Stadium on a hot streak. She is the first Latina to headline Coachella. She is the first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts with an all-Spanish album, 2023’s “Mañana Será Bonito.” She is following last year’s soaring “Tropicoqueta” world tour. She is on a tour that will cover 63 stadiums in North America, Latin America and Europe through 2027.
A singer who relies on grit and emotion, Karol connects through a production played out with large-scale, theatrical scenes over four acts. Her primary stage is styled as a Colombian rainforest and mountainside, the set described as a “cave club” by fans.
“Latina Forever” kicked off the show, lest anyone miss the point of the headliner’s message. “Un Gatito Me Llamo” and “Oki Doki,” fan favorites both, set a high-velocity opening section, the headliner jumping and waving her arms (later in the set, she even dialed up “The Wave,” to deafening response).
A slick, sophisticated shift in tenor was a prerecorded video from Mexican-American actor Edward James Olmos that brought out “Tropicoqueta,” serving as Karol’s formal introduction. The title of her fifth studio album and 2025 world tour featured the headliner and dance team in a multicolored splendor. The number would have been an apt show-stopper in the heyday of “Folies Bergere” at the Trop and “Jubilee” at Bally’s.
Karol’s backing dancers gyrated while playing percussion instruments to great delight. It’s heartening to see that she employs so many dance pros in her generous touring production. In all, the star was backed by about two dozen dancers, all moving sharply in a reggaetón street style.
We were also treated to a visit from a powerhouse, all-female, mariachi troupe — and you can’t help but smile when a mariachi band is center-stage in an NFL stadium. The band spirited through for “Ese Hombre Es Malo” and “Mamii,” her blockbuster collab with Becky G. Most of the crowd sang along, but that familiarity wasn’t a requirement to feel the joy in the performances.
For much of the show, an illuminated, shallow, stone-carved pool sat almost unnoticed at the end of the stage’s extended runway. Karol put it in play, initiating horseplay in the form of splashing, kneeling and rolling about during “Dile Luna” and “Bandida Entrenada.”
This scene was among the more remarkable aquatic adventures ever on a Vegas stage, sharing status with Carrie Underwood’s show-closing cascade for “Something In the Water,” and Celine Dion’s water curtain in “My Heart Will Go On.”
Comparisons will continue as Karol’s fame expands. International media outlets have referred to her as “The Taylor Swift of Colombia.” The level of fame occupied by such icons as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce is not out of the question.
Karol’s partnership with Bad Bunny, “Ahora Me Llama” was the breakout single on her 2017 album, “Unstoppable.” Along with Mars, Drake is a collab partner on “Ahi,” with the rap star dovetailing to Spanish lyrics. The superstars are finding Karol, bolstering her international appeal.
The explosion of adulation from Friday night’s Las Vegas crowd was real. Her devotees dressed brightly, with many moms and daughters and friends in matching outfits of bright green, gold, orange and pink floral designs.
Some fans even arrived with replicas of Karol’s pet parrot, Paco — and the superstar actually rode a giant Paco to sing “Papasito.”
Really wild, and the crowd loved it.
A few minutes before the show, an audience member in a group of ticket-holders I’d just met offered, “I didn’t know who this artist was until about 24 hours ago.” By the end of the night, they were dancing, taking selfies with the star in the backdrop, fully immersed and instant fans of Karol G.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.