Sixteen-year-old Thai rocker Nene Royal has won the latest season of America’s Got Talent, becoming the first contestant from Thailand to take the title.
16-year-old Thai rocker wins America’s Got Talent $1m grand prize / BBC/Getty
Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, won the $1m (£755,000) prize after performing “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes in the final in California, BBC News reported Thursday.
She beat nine other finalists, including magicians, canine performers and a robot dance crew.
“I’m very happy and emotional right now,” she said.
Royal had first attracted widespread attention with her audition performance of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, which has received 20 million views.
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She later received a Golden Buzzer after performing “Black Hole Sun” and went on to perform “The Emptiness Machine” with Linkin Park before the final.
Royal, who started playing guitar at the age of seven, has said she dreams of becoming a touring musician.
She is also known for performing at Naka Weekend Market in Phuket, where her victory was celebrated by people who had watched her perform there.
“Everyone at Naka Market is so proud to see you shine on one of the biggest stages in the world,” the market said in a post.
“Your talent, heart, and courage have inspired so many people, and this victory is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when someone truly gives everything to their dream.”
Thai viewers were unable to watch the show live on NBC, with many instead following a YouTube livestream. The livestream was abruptly cut during the results, before the result brought relief and excitement among viewers.
“History made!” one Thai social media user wrote on Facebook.
“Let the world write it down that this Thai kid is incredibly talented,” wrote another.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Royal had “brought honour to Thailand” and “instilled pride in the Thai people” with her win.
The Thai government public relations department said: “What makes this win special is that Nene carried her Thai identity with confidence onto one of the world’s biggest stages.”
“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.”
Piyarat Na Songkhla, who had watched Royal perform at Naka Market, said: “She’s so adorable,” he says. “I feel so elated and happy for her. It’s unbelievable that she has gone this far. So proud of her.”
Kajonkiet International School, where Royal studied, also celebrated her victory, saying: “We are so proud of you,
