BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai teenager Nene Royal has won America’s Got Talent Season 21, becoming the first contestant from Thailand to take the title and turning a childhood ambition into a global stage. The 16-year-old guitarist and vocalist from Phuket, whose real name is Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, defeated nine other finalists after winning over audiences with her powerful voice and commanding guitar work.

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Her victory follows a journey that began when she picked up a guitar at just seven years old. “My biggest dream is I really want to be a superstar on tour,” she told judges during her audition. She also fulfilled a personal wish by performing with Linkin Park in the finale, joining the band for “The Emptiness Machine.”

Nene’s path to the title ran from busking at Phuket markets to one of the world’s biggest talent stages. She honed her technique through self-directed practice and online videos, performed with local band OZONE, and built a following through competitions and TV appearances. Her AGT run opened with a rock rendition of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” that earned four yeses from Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel and Mel B, followed by Muse’s “Hysteria” in the callbacks and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” in the quarter-finals, where Mel B gave her a Live Golden Buzzer straight to the final.

In the finale she chose The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” sharing the stage with Mexican rock band The Warning. Host Terry Crews noted she had decided at seven to become a rock star, and Nene replied: “Yes, absolutely! My dream has come true.”

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She has been open about her ambitions, saying she wants to become a world-class artist and embark on international concert tours, and citing Thai stars Lisa and MILLI as inspirations. Before AGT she placed second in the 2023 Overdrive Guitar Contest, won an Outstanding Player award at the 2025 King Power Band Competition and appeared on Thai TV’s Super 10. From a young girl learning guitar in Phuket to a global competition winner, Nene has taken a major step toward the worldwide music career she has long pursued.

-Thailand News (TN)