Thailand’s Nene Royal wins America’s Got Talent, pocketing US$1 million
The teenage guitar sensation beat nine other finalists after emerging as the clear favourite before the finale
“You should win. Give her the million, America,” judge Howie Mandel said after the performance. Fellow judge Melanie Brown praised Nene’s “mysterious, mystical stage presence” before adding, “You’re from the best place in the world, Phuket, Thailand. I love to go there.”
Her victory caps a rapid rise that began with a swaggering rendition of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”, in which she sang and tore through the song on guitar. The audition amassed more than 200 million views across AGT’s official online platforms, more than any other act this season.
