Thai teenager Nene Royal wins 'America's Got Talent', sparking celebrations back home

A 16-year-old Thai rock singer, Nene Royal, has made waves after winning the top prize of US$1 million on America's Got Talent, sparking celebrations across the country. The teenage guitarist, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, performed with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in July and was invited to the US for the show. Nene's journey to victory began when she started playing guitar at the age of seven.

Videos of her performances, which include alternative rock classics like Zombie by The Cranberries and Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden, went viral in Thailand. She credits online tutorials and a music scholarship at a private international school for her talent. Nene wept with joy upon learning she had won, expressing her pride in her achievement and emotional state.

Her school in Phuket held watch parties for her and praised her as an "extraordinary talent." The Phuket night market where she gained initial recognition also hailed her as an inspiration, stating that her win was a testament to the rewards of pursuing one's dreams with dedication. Prime Minister Anutin, currently in New York for the UN General Assembly meetings, congratulated Nene, hailing her win as a source of national pride.