Nene Royal returns to Phuket after America’s Got Talent win

Nene Royal returned to Phuket on Sunday, 27 September, after becoming the first Thai contestant to win America’s Got Talent. The 16-year-old singer and guitarist was welcomed by relatives, fans and provincial officials as she brought the result of the US television competition back to her home island. [2][4][5]

The season 21 winner was announced during the 23 September finale in the United States, by which time it was 24 September in Thailand. Magician Geno Ploeger was runner-up. For Phuket, the homecoming followed a competition that pupils and teachers at Nene’s school had already been watching together. [1][3][4]

The Phuket News reported that Nene arrived at Phuket International Airport after travelling from the United States through Hong Kong. Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom was among those who greeted her. Her grandmother had travelled from Nakhon Si Thammarat to join the welcome. [5]

An official reception began at the Kho Sim Bee Building, the newspaper reported on Sunday afternoon. The city had also arranged an electric-vehicle procession through the old town and a musical performance. Its account described those later events as planned. Khaosod English’s report, published on Monday, also dated the return to Sunday. [2][5]

A rock repertoire on a national television stage

Her route through the contest kept both her voice and guitar playing in view. NBC Insider’s result report traces a sequence from The Cranberries’ “Zombie” at the audition to Muse’s “Hysteria” at the callbacks. A performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” earned Mel B’s live Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the final. [1]

There she performed The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”. On the results programme she joined Linkin Park for “The Emptiness Machine”, sharing the stage with a band whose work was part of the rock tradition she had drawn on throughout the competition. [1]

That televised introduction came after years of learning and playing. AFP reported that Nene began guitar at seven, taught herself largely through online videos and later received a music scholarship. The Phuket News described her early performances at venues around the island before her appearance on the international show. [4][5]

Original music, with no release date yet

Beyond the television competition, Nene already has original music recorded. In an interview published on 24 September, she told TV Insider there was no timetable for its release. She described her final competition performance as the one of which she was most proud. [3]

She also named artists she hoped to collaborate with, including System of a Down, Limp Bizkit and The Warning. These were aspirations expressed in the interview, rather than confirmed projects. Her stated focus was to continue working in music. [3]

At Kajonkiet International School Phuket, principal Gareth Eynon offered AFP a view of the musician away from the competition. He described a pupil who encouraged less experienced players and was willing to support others during school performances. He had not established when she would return to school, but said the school would continue to support her. [4]