Songpi/Los Angles: Dreams turned into reality on the stage of America’s Got Talent as 16-year-old Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal was crowned the champion of Season 21 in a star-studded two-hour finale. The young prodigy from Phuket, Thailand, captured the hearts of millions across America and won the nationwide vote to clinch the coveted title, which was announced during the live results show aired on Tuesday night, September 23, on NBC.
Nene Royal, who first picked up the guitar at the age of seven with a dream to become a superstar on tour, has been one of the most electrifying contestants this season. She first made a massive impact during the auditions with her bold reinterpretation of The Cranberries’ iconic 1990s protest anthem “Zombie,” which instantly made her a fan favourite and signaled the arrival of a unique rock talent on the global stage.
Her journey was anything but a one-hit wonder. In the quarterfinals, Nene delivered a powerful and haunting cover of Soundgarden’s classic “Black Hole Sun” that was so impressive it earned the Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B. That moment automatically advanced her to the finals and cemented her status as one of the most viral acts of the season.
For the Season 21 finale performance, the teenager reimagined The White Stripes’ legendary hit “Seven Nation Army.” Wearing a beautiful traditional dress emblazoned with “Nene Thailand,” she transformed Jack White’s iconic riff into a heavy, grinding weapon and added her own fresh and fiery guitar solo, leaving the audience and judges on their feet.
The judges were effusive in their praise after her final performance. Mel B, who had pressed her Golden Buzzer, said she was glad she did it, praising Nene’s mysterious and mystical stage presence and calling her unique. The former Spice Girls star jokingly added that if Nene didn’t win, she would sell Howie Mandel’s new house, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Nene Royal: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1MXWUYuq7s
Judge Sofia Vergara told the young star that the world is going crazy because there is nothing like her right now and that she is truly unique in the music industry. Howie Mandel called Nene the biggest, most talented, and most viral talent to ever grace the AGT stage and directly appealed to America to give her the million dollars.
In the final results, magician Geno Ploeger finished as the runner-up in second place, while the popular magician group Hundred Fingers secured the third spot on the podium. The final result was announced after weeks of intense competition featuring singers, dancers, magicians, and variety acts from around the world.
As the Season 21 champion, Nene Royal will receive the grand prize of $1 million and will also headline a live show in Las Vegas, a life-changing opportunity for any artist. The win makes her one of the youngest winners in recent AGT history and the first Thai solo guitarist to win the title.
The grand finale was also a night of star-studded collaborations and performances. Special guests who performed during the live results show included renowned singer Josh Groban, influencer Lele Pons, singer REI AMI, DJ Steve Aoki, and iconic rock band Linkin Park.
In one of the most talked-about moments of the night, Linkin Park collaborated with Nene Royal after America’s vote for a special performance of their hit “The Emptiness Machine,” creating a powerful rock fusion that trended instantly on social media.
Born and raised in Phuket, Nene has often spoken about her humble beginnings and her passion for rock music, which is unusual for a young girl from Thailand. Her viral performances have already garnered millions of views online, with fans from Asia to America rallying behind her.
With her win, Nene Royal now joins the elite list of AGT champions and is expected to begin preparations for her Las Vegas show and debut album. Her victory is being celebrated widely in Thailand, where she is being hailed as a national pride and an inspiration for young musicians.
The 21st season of America’s Got Talent has been one of the most watched seasons in recent years, and with Nene Royal’s coronation, the show has once again proven that true talent knows no age, no border, and no genre.
