Thai teenager Nene Royal wins 'America's Got Talent', sparking celebrations back home

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sent his congratulations, saying Nene "brought pride to Thai people".

This photo taken on Jul 14, 2026, shows Thai musician Rattikarn "Nene Royal" Amloy (second from right), 16, reacting next to Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (right) at Government House in Bangkok. (File photo: AFP/Thai News Pix/Arnun Chonmahatrakool)

BANGKOK: A 16-year-old Thai rock singer and guitarist who has performed with the prime minister and Linkin Park won a top US television talent show on Thursday (Sep 24), sparking celebrations back home - and praise from her principal.

Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, took home the US$1 million prize as winner of "America's Got Talent", after wowing judges and viewers with blistering guitar solos and rock ballad shrieks.