Nene Royal, a 16-year-old rocker, has been crowned the latest winner of America’s Got Talent — making her the first ever Thai winner of the long-running talent show.
For the show’s finals on Tuesday in California, Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, performed a rendition of “Seven Nation Army” by American rock duo The White Stripes. Her heavy metal performances trumped nine other finalists, including magician acts, canine performers, and even a robot dance crew.
The Victory
Nene emerged as a clear fan favorite early in the competition after a viral clip of her audition, in which she belted out “Zombie” by The Cranberries to a stunned panel of judges. The video has racked up 20 million views.
On Wednesday night, ahead of the results being announced, Nene took the stage with Linkin Park to perform “The Emptiness Machine.” Later that night, she broke down in tears, kneeling on the ground as she was crowned the winner of the show’s 21st season — which comes with a prize of $1 million.
“I’m very happy and emotional right now,” she said, thanking everyone for supporting her.
Thailand Reacts
Many in Thailand are celebrating her win. The results show was eagerly followed by her legion of fans in Thailand, who were unable to watch the live broadcast on NBC. Many had to resort to a YouTube livestream instead — and were thrown into distress when the livestream was abruptly cut in the middle of the results announcements.
But moments later came sighs of relief and exclamations of joy as word got around that Nene had secured her historic victory.
“History made!” one Thai social media user wrote on Facebook. “Let the world write it down that this Thai kid is incredibly talented,” wrote another.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul congratulated Nene, saying she had “brought honour to Thailand” and “instilled pride in the Thai people” with her win. “What makes this win special is that Nene carried her Thai identity with confidence onto one of the world’s biggest stages,” the Thai government’s public relations department said.
From Phuket to the World
According to Nene, she started playing the guitar when she was seven years old and harbored dreams of becoming a touring musician. In her hometown of Phuket, a tourist hub known for its beaches and seaside resorts, Nene was known to busk at Naka Weekend Market.
Piyarat Na Songkhla, a 43-year-old tour guide in Phuket, told the BBC he has seen Nene perform since she was young. “She’s so adorable,” he says. “I feel so elated and happy for her. It’s unbelievable that she has gone this far. So proud of her.”
The Facebook account of Naka Weekend Market posted a tribute to Nene after her victory. “Everyone at Naka Market is so proud to see you shine on one of the biggest stages in the world,” its post reads. “Your talent, heart, and courage have inspired so many people.”
Kajonkiet International School in Phuket, where Nene studies, also congratulated her, posting a video of students and staff gathering to watch her final performance, screaming and chanting her name.
The Bottom Line
Nene Royal, a 16-year-old rocker from Phuket, Thailand, has won America’s Got Talent, becoming the first Thai winner in the show’s history. She performed “Seven Nation Army” in the finals and took home the $1 million prize. Her audition video has 20 million views. Thailand’s prime minister and the government congratulated her, calling her an “inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big.”
The Bottom Line
Nene Royal is 16 years old. She started playing guitar at seven. She busked at a weekend market in Phuket. And on Tuesday night, she stood on a stage in California and won the biggest talent competition in the world.
That is the story. Not the politics, not the ratings, not the prize money. A kid from a tourist town in Thailand picked up a guitar, worked at it for nearly a decade, and refused to let anyone tell her that a Thai girl with a heavy metal sound could not make it on an American stage. She did it anyway.
