Teen rocker becomes first Thai to win America’s Got Talent

Nene Royal, a 16-year-old Thai rock musician, has emerged victorious in America’s Got Talent, marking her as the first Thai contestant ever to win the renowned talent competition. On Tuesday, Nene, who performs under her birth name Rattikarn Amloy, wowed the judges and audience with a powerful rendition of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes during the show's finals held in California.

Her heavy metal performances secured her a spot among the top nine finalists, outshining contestants showcasing acts ranging from magic and canine tricks to even robot dance crews. The news of her win has sparked joy among Thais, with many expressing pride in her accomplishment of reaching "one of the biggest stages in the world".

The Thai government has hailed her as an "inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big". Nene's journey to stardom began with a viral clip of her audition, in which she delivered an electrifying version of Zombie by The Cranberries, garnering 20 million views. On Wednesday, just before the results aired, Nene shared the stage with Linkin Park to perform The Emptiness Machine, a 2024 hit by the American band.

Overwhelmed with emotions, she wept as she was announced the winner of America’s Got Talent's 21st season, which comes with a grand prize of $1 million. "I'm very happy and emotional right now," she expressed, expressing her gratitude for the support she received throughout the competition.