Thai Teen's Guitar Cover Electrifies 'America's Got Talent' Finale
Sixteen-year-old Nene Royal performed a reimagined version of the White Stripes' hit during the season 21 finale of the NBC talent competition. Her rendition earned standing ovations and praise from judges KSI, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel. The winner will be revealed in the results show airing September 23.
Royal, who began playing guitar at age seven, has consistently delivered hard-rock interpretations throughout the competition. Her earlier performances included a cover of The Cranberries' "Zombie" during auditions and Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" in the quarterfinals, the latter earning her a Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B. For the finale, she wore a traditional garment bearing the words "Nene Thailand" while performing her reworked rendition.
The 16-year-old is one of ten finalists awaiting the results announcement, scheduled for September 23 during a two-hour broadcast featuring guest performances from Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Lele Pons, REI AMI, and Steve Aoki. Regardless of the outcome, Royal has stated that her dream has already been fulfilled through her participation in the competition.
This performance could significantly elevate Royal's international profile regardless of the final vote. Viral moments on AGT often translate into recording opportunities and touring prospects, and her fusion of traditional Thai presentation with Western rock may broaden representation of Asian artists in mainstream American entertainment. Her success could also inspire young musicians from non-Western backgrounds to pursue similar crossover paths, potentially diversifying the genre's audience and artist roster.