16-year-old Thai rocker wins America’s Got Talent $1m grand prize

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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.

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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.

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She beat nine other finalists, including magicians, canine performers and a robot dance crew.

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“I’m very happy and emotional right now,” she said.

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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.

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Royal, who started playing guitar at the age of seven, has said she dreams of becoming a touring musician.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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.

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“History made!” one Thai social media user wrote on Facebook.

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“Let the world write it down that this Thai kid is incredibly talented,” wrote another.

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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Royal had “brought honour to Thailand” and “instilled pride in the Thai people” with her win.

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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.”

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“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.”

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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.”

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Kajonkiet International School, where Royal studied, also celebrated her victory, saying: “We are so proud of you,”

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