Nene Royal Advances to 'America’s Got Talent' Season 21 Finale
The 16-year-old Thai rock guitarist is among 10 finalists competing for $1 million prize.
Nene Royal's Rocking Performance
Nene Royal, a 16-year-old rock guitarist from Phuket, Thailand, has advanced to the finale of 'America’s Got Talent' Season 21. Her performance of The Cranberries' 'Zombie' has garnered over 20 million views on the official 'AGT' YouTube channel, making it the most viewed audition of the season.
Royal's journey began shortly before her 16th birthday, and she has quickly become a fan favorite. Judges Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara were particularly impressed, with Mandel famously saying, 'NBC, give her the million right now.'
Government Support and Public Outcry
The Thai government has expressed full confidence in Nene Royal's talent and is urging Thais to support her. Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan stated, 'The government admires Nene and has full confidence in her talent. We want to represent the Thai people in wishing her success in winning America’s Got Talent 2026, bringing pride to Thailand.'
Despite her newfound fame, Royal remains humble. She told Talent Recap, 'It adds a little bit of pressure because suddenly there’s so many people watching me and supporting me.'
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