On September 22, Nene Royal was crowned the winner of season 21 of America's Got Talent. The 16-year-old from Phuket, Thailand (real name Rattikarn Amloy) triumphed in the season finale of the popular talent show after performing a full-on metal version of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, then teaming up with Linkin Park to collaborate on The Emptiness Machine, the lead single from the Los Angeles band's 2024 album From Zero.
America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel praised vocalist/guitarist Royal as "the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage."
The 16-year-old Thai star, who started playing guitar at the age of seven, had displayed her love of rock and metal throughout the competition, wowing the judges and TV audiences in previous rounds with energetic performances of Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun, Muse's Hysteria, and The Cranberries' Zombie.
Winning the competition also secured the teenager one million dollars in prize money. She is the first Thai winner of the long-running talent show.
"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 PR department said in a statement. "She showed that talent, hard work, and determination can come from anywhere, including a young girl from Phuket with a guitar and a big dream."
We caught up with Nene after her win to learn more about her story.
How do you feel? Has the win sunk in yet?
“I didn’t expect to win this competition, because it was very tough this year. But I’m very proud of myself.”
You started going viral long before you won. Did it feel like you had an advantage?
“It’s made me feel so proud, and also… I don’t know what to say. Life has changed, actually. I just want to make plans to make some songs and to do some stuff on tour. I want to collab with legendary artists.”
Who are your dream collaborators?
“A lot! Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, Metallica, System Of A Down, The Warning, Limp Bizkit, and even more! What I just did with Linkin Park, I’m so happy.”
Who was the first rock artist who truly got you into that style of music?
“When I started playing rock, that comes from my dad. He was always playing the radio in the car. In his day, he really loved rock and metal – like, 90s, I guess. I was sitting in the back and he was like, [headbanging]. It was a vibe, and I got feelings about it. I talked to my dad [and said] ‘I want to play rock music. Then my dad was like, ‘That’s impossible!’ I said, I just wanna do it, because I know that guys play rock, whereas women are in these sweet bands. But girls can also play rock!”
Who was the first artist you discovered without your dad, that you found for yourself?
“I remember the first song that my dad played on the radio, I think it was Deep Purple. Highway Star, I guess. It made me wanna try to play some rock songs: ‘I’m gonna play Star’s beginning, the solo to Hotel California, My Sharona, and then Highway Star.’ From this, Back In Black, Nightmare.”
What are your favourite rock albums of all time? Is that a hard question?
“Yes! The band is Avenged Sevenfold, but I can’t say which one is my favourite.”
You just love all of it.
“Yeah, I just love all of it.”
What about albums by artists other than Avenged Sevenfold?
“System of a Down, Linkin Park, Metallica. I don’t know!”
You performed with Linkin Park. How did you link up with them?
“I didn’t expect that I was going to perform with them, because at my rehearsal of their song The Emptiness Machine, I was practising on my own. I thought I was going to play alone. But, when I practised, a cameraman just came in, and then, Linkin Park just came in. I was like, ‘What is going on?!’ I don’t know if Linkin Park are just gonna come and take a video, some shot, that’s all. But actually, Linkin Park say, ‘We’re gonna join together onstage,’ and I was like, ‘There’s no way!’ My dream’s come true.”
When Mike and Emily took the mic and said they wanted you to win, what did that mean to you?
“It means a lot to me, because I’ve got the advice and a comment from the artist, like, ‘Good luck. We’re gonna vote for you. Incredible!’ I’m very happy.”
Are there any other female rock and metal singers that you think are blazing trails?
“The Warning. They’re like a new generation.”
You’re supporting Avenged Sevenfold in Singapore next month. Are you excited or scared or both?
“Both! [laughing] It’s my first time playing support to Avenged Sevenfold, so I was like, [big sigh] ‘I’m scared!’ And I’m going to play in front of how many? 40,000!”
Is it going to be covers or originals? A mix of the two?
“We’ll see.”
How did it happen? Did the guys reach out to you personally?
“The managers in Singapore text me: ‘Oh, I hear you wanna play with Avenged Sevenfold?’ I was like, ‘Yeah!’ They said, ‘Well, Avenged Sevenfold want you to support them.’ They asked for me, ‘Do you wanna do it?’, and I was like, ‘Yeah!’”
At 16, supporting one of your favourite bands…
“Dreams come true. Incredible.”
Your dreams have come true at 16 years old, so what’s next?
“Planning to create my own songs, and also doing some tours. I really wanna collaborate with those legendary bands.”
