Phuket singer Nene Royal wins America’s Got Talent Season 21

Phuket rock singer Nene Royal has won Season 21 of America’s Got Talent, taking the show’s US$1 million top prize after performing The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” in the live final.

Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn ‘Praew’ Amlai, beat magician Geno Ploeger, who finished second. Magic group Hundred Fingers placed third, followed by dance crew Royal Lasers in fourth and aerialist Veronika Goroshkova in fifth.

Nene performed the final song while playing guitar. Judge Howie Mandel again called for her to receive the top prize. She had reached the final after receiving a Live Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B during the quarterfinals for her performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”.

Her run began with an audition performance of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”, followed by Muse’s “Hysteria” during the judges’ callbacks. She travelled to the United States with her family and team, along with members of Phuket band OZONE, who supported her during the final.

For her final appearance, Nene wore a specially designed red outfit incorporating handwoven Thai silk from Ban Krua, the historic Cham Muslim community along Bangkok’s Khlong Saen Saep. According to a post about the outfit, the design followed her mother’s vision of a look that was “strong, confident, elegant” and carried the raw power of rock. It was developed by designer P’Ice and brought to life by “P’Mor Ying”, combining structured shoulders, leather belts, metal studs and chain details with metallic-thread silk. She completed the look with Dr Martens footwear.

Her victory followed widespread support in Thailand, including a call from the Thai government for people across the country to support her in the final.