Dreams do come true. That’s certainly the case for Nene Royal, the precocious talent who was tonight crowned winner of America’s Got Talent.
The 16-year-old Thai singer and guitarist has electrified audiences — and AGT‘s judges — throughout this 21st season.
When it mattered most, the teen sensation captured the heart of the nation. She won America’s vote and captured the title, announced during the two-hour results show which aired Wednesday night (Sept. 23) on NBC.
As the champion, Royal earns more than bragging rights. She scores the $1 million grand prize and a headlining spot in a live show in Las Vegas.
Special guests and performers during the live results show included Josh Groban, Lele Pons, REI AMI, Steve Aoki, and Linkin Park who, following America’s Vote, collaborated with Royal for a performance of “The Emptiness Machine.”
Hailing from Phuket, Thailand, Royal picked up the guitar at age seven and has always dreamed of being a “superstar on tour,” she explained during the auditions phase of AGT. She delivered the goods in a massive way, by belting-out a reinterpreted cover of The Cranberries mid-‘90s protest anthem “Zombie.”
With her spot in the quarterfinals, Royal proved she was no one-hit wonder. Her cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” was such a blast, it earned Mel B’s Golden Buzzer. With that, the youngster advanced to the finals.
For her performance in the season 21 finale, Nene reimagined the White Stripes’ classic 2000s number “Seven Nation Army,” grinding Jack White’s iconic riff into a heavy weapon and introducing a fresh guitar solo. The youngster wore a traditional dress, emblazoned with the words “Nene Thailand.”
“Well, I’m glad I pressed my Golden Buzzer,” Mel B remarked after the amps were turned off. “Because not only do you have such mysterious, mystical stage presence, you’re from the best place in the world, Phuket, Thailand…and what you’re bringing to this competition is so unique and you’re only 16 years old. If you don’t win this, I am going to sell Howie’s new house.”
Sofía Vergara said she was confident that the “world is going crazy because there is nothing like you right now, you are unique.”
Howie Mandel spoke last. Nene, he enthused, is “the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage…you should win. Give her the million, America.”
The veteran actor spoke truth. It was a winning performance. For the record, magician Geno Ploeger came in second, and magician group Hundred Fingers completed the podium in third place.
Watch Royal’s crowning joy below.
