16-year-old Nene Royal from Phuket, Thailand stuns the judges with a powerhouse performance of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, proving she’s a superstar in the making. Watch America’s Got Talent on Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Nene Royal, a 16-year-old singer-guitarist from Phuket, Thailand, became an instant global sensation following her explosive audition on America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21. Walking onto the stage looking remarkably shy, soft-spoken, and reserved, she shocked the judges and audience by unleashing a fierce, heavy-rock rendition of “Zombie” by The Cranberries.
Self-Taught Prodigy: Nene began teaching herself to play guitar at age seven by watching internet videos. Before hitting the AGT stage, she regularly busked in the local night markets of Phuket.
Pre-Existing Online Following: While new to the American audience, she had already amassed over 3 million followers across her social media accounts, previously placed runner-up at the 14th Overdrive Guitar Contest in 2023, and appeared on the Thai television program Super 10.
Viral Impact: The official audition clip quickly racked up millions of views in just a few days. Despite not receiving a Golden Buzzer, the massive online reaction has many fans predicting her as a top contender to make the finals or win the entire season.
A Heartwarming Backstory: Following her viral success, Thai media revealed that Nene’s father had sold family assets to finance their trip to the United States so she could pursue her rock star dreams. This sacrifice even caught the attention of Thai National Artist Surachai “Nga Caravan” Chantimathorn, who wrote a poem honoring the family’s dedication.
The Results: Her performance earned a massive standing ovation and four unanimous “Yes” votes from judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel, easily sending her to the next round.
