A 16 year old Thai rock singer and guitarist who has performed with the prime minister and Linkin Park has won America’s Got Talent, sparking celebrations across her home country.
Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, took home the $1 million prize as winner of the show’s 21st season after dazzling judges and viewers with blistering guitar solos and powerful rock vocals. The teenager from the island of Phuket became the first Thai national to claim the title on the long running NBC talent competition, beating magician Geno Ploeger for the win.
Royal, who says she started playing guitar at the age of seven, collapsed onto the stage floor in California when her victory was announced during the live results show. “I’m very happy and you know I’m emotional right now,” said the young musician.
In her final competitive performance, she sang and played guitar on a reimagined version of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Ahead of the results announcement, she shared the stage with Linkin Park to perform their 2024 track The Emptiness Machine.
Royal’s audition performance of Zombie by The Cranberries earned four yes votes from the judges and became one of the most-watched clips of the season, going viral in Thailand and beyond with tens of millions of views. She later received Mel B’s Golden Buzzer for her cover of Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden, sending her straight to the final.
Her journey began with busking at the Phuket night market, which celebrated her victory in a social media post: “This victory is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when someone truly gives everything to their dream.”
The teenager from Phuket has become a social media sensation in Thailand since entering the competition. In July, she was invited to perform alongside Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House in Bangkok, where the pair performed together in a show of national support.
Anutin, who is currently in New York for United Nations General Assembly meetings, sent his congratulations to Royal. He praised her talent and dedication, which “brought pride to Thai people”, according to deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan.
The Thai government described her success as an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big and noted that she carried her Thai identity with confidence onto one of the world’s biggest stages.
As Royal’s final performance aired on television, her schoolmates and teachers rooted for her at a watch party. The moment she was crowned champion was “electric”, school principal Gareth Eynon told AFP.
“Literally everyone from age 2–18 was there cheering her on” at Kajonkiet International School Phuket, Eynon said. “She’s so talented, yet she’s so humble,” Eynon added. “She doesn’t have to be front and centre of the stage” during school performances, he noted, explaining that Royal was just as happy helping and encouraging less experienced student musicians.
“She’s a truly remarkable role model for the younger children at the school.”
Eynon said he did not know if or when Royal would be back in school, noting that her opportunities were now “boundless”. But he stressed: “We are here for her and are here to support her.”
Royal said she learned guitar mostly by watching online videos and later secured a music scholarship to her private international school. “When I played the first chord, I fell in love, and I thought I am going to be the girl rock star,” she said in an interview with America’s Got Talent.
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