Thai Metal-Loving Teen Nene Royal Wins AGT — SkimNews
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- Nene Royal, a 16-year-old from Phuket, Thailand, was crowned winner of America's Got Talent on Wednesday, becoming the first Thai champion in the show's history and claiming the $1 million prize.
- Her "Zombie" audition by the Cranberries has amassed 21 million views online, earning a standing ovation and prompting responses from the Cranberries, Muse, and Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell's wife Vicky Cornell.
- Throughout the season Royal tackled rock staples including Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," Muse's "Hysteria," and the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," closing the finale with a duet on "Emptiness Machine" alongside Linkin Park's Emily Armstrong.
- Royal started playing guitar at age 7 in Phuket and began performing live at 12 with bands OZONE Band and Miniheart; her father, who 'doesn't know how to play music at all,' was filmed rocking out during her audition.
- The Thai government called Royal 'an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big,' while she rattles off System of a Down, Metallica, AC/DC, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot as dream collaborators.
- Royal is scheduled to open for Avenged Sevenfold in Singapore on Oct. 13 and plans to record a rock album and tour; her first post-win decision was between Disneyland and sleep.
Why it matters: At 16, Royal became the first Thai winner of America's Got Talent, with the Thai government publicly calling her 'an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big.' Her 21-million-view audition and endorsements from the Cranberries, Muse, and Vicky Cornell show that guitar-driven heavy rock can still break through mainstream American competition TV.
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