Thai Teen Nene Royal Wins America's Got Talent Season 21

Thai teenager Nene Royal won America's Got Talent Season 21 on Wednesday night, becoming the first contestant from Thailand to claim the title. Host Terry Crews announced the result during the live NBC finale on September 23. The 16-year-old singer and guitarist, whose real name is Rattikan "Praew" Amloy, received the most public votes among ten finalists.

Royal earned a $1 million grand prize and a platform to launch an international rock career. Her journey began with an audition performing The Cranberries' "Zombie," which impressed judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and Howie Mandel. She advanced through callbacks with Muse's "Hysteria" and the live quarter-finals with Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun."

“When they called my name, I was just completely shocked. And then I fell down. I didn't know what I was doing.”

Mel B sent Royal directly to the finals after her quarter-final performance. In a post-win interview with Billboard, Royal said she was completely shocked when her name was called and fell down in disbelief. She emphasized that beyond guitar, she sings, writes music, and plays piano, bass, and drums, aiming to create her own rock and metal sound.