Thai teen rocker Nene Royal talks America’s Got Talent and dreaming big
A twist of fate put a guitar in Nene Royal’s hands. Aged seven, she wanted to join the computer science club at her school in Phuket, Thailand, but it was already full. “The only place left was in the music club, and the teacher handed me a guitar,” she told This Week in Asia. “The moment I started playing, something clicked.” Now just 16, the self-taught rocker has a shot at global stardom on…
Teenage Thai rock star Nene Royal, also known as Rattikarn Amloy, recently caught the attention of America’s Got Talent, a globally broadcast talent show. Born and raised in Phuket, Thailand, Nene took up guitar at age seven when her desired computer science club was full. Intrigued by this new instrument, she quickly discovered her passion for playing.
Now 16, Nene has wowed judges on the talent show with her mesmerizing renditions of songs like The Cranberries’ "Zombie" and Muse’s "Hysteria." She credits her development to hours of practice, studying her idols, and watching YouTube tutorials. Despite Thailand's male-dominated music scene, Nene insists that her gender or age does not limit her.
She focuses on honing her craft and sharing her love for music with her audience. Nene's journey began small in Phuket's local markets, where she performed and discovered a joy in entertaining crowds. She later graced Thai talent shows and local bands, building a devoted following. As she prepares to compete on the international stage at America’s Got Talent, Nene hopes her story will inspire young Thais to pursue their dreams, regardless of their starting point.
Her performance has garnered immense support from Thai fans, leading to CP Group's advertising campaign in New York’s Times Square to boost her chances of victory.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
