Nene Royal

Biography

Rattikarn Amloy (Thai: รัตติกานต์ อำลอย; RTGS: Rattikan Amloi, born 14 March 2010), known by the stage name Nene Royal (pronounced nay-nay, Thai: เนเน่ รอยัล; pronounced [neː.nêː.rɔː.jân]) or by the nickname Praew (pronounced pray-ow, Thai: แพรว; pronounced [pʰrɛːw]), is a Thai rock musician, singer, and guitarist. She drew international attention for her 2026 audition for Season 21 of America's Got Talent television show, which went viral on various social media. Nene's performance of "Zombie" by The Cranberries was the most-viewed video from the season auditions. In the Judges' Callbacks round, she performed "Hysteria" by Muse before Howie Mandel and the guest judge Nikki Glaser. Her performance was a hit again, with 2 million views within 24 hours of release on YouTube. In the quarterfinals, her performance of "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden earned her the Golden Buzzer from Mel B.

== Biography == Nene was born 14 March 2010 in Phuket, Thailand, to Narong Amloy and Chuanpit "Mae Oom" Poonkerd. Known by a nickname Praew, she has a four-year-old brother. She said that she started playing guitar at seven years of age, and according to her bio, is largely self-taught. Other sources state that she started at the age of six. Her parents had hoped that she would take up business as a career, and she wanted to study computing as a co-curricular subject. However, she learned that there was no more accommodation in the computer class, so she enrolled in music instead. She learned to play guitar from watching Youtube. Nene started making public performances at the age of 12 and adopted a stage name Nene Royal. In 2022, she participated at the Thai talent programme Super 10, performing with Thai rock artist PooH Anchalee. In 2023, she competed in the Overdrive Guitar Contest and won the second prize and was named "Best Musician" and "Best Vocalist". The same year, she received the Trang Music Award. In 2025, she appeared at the King Power Band Competition and given an "Outstanding Player" award. As of 2026, she is studying grade 11 at the Kajonkiet International School in Phuket. She is a featured artist with Enya Music and is recording for her debut EP. She is in two bands, the OZONE Band and Miniheart, both of which perform at the Naka Weekend Market in Phuket. In August 2026, Nene was awarded the "Best New International Artiste 2026" at The Phil Lynott Convention held in Dublin, Ireland, one of the only two awards given at the convention, the other being the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

== America's Got Talent ==

=== Audition === Nene was among the last contestants to perform on the America's Got Talent season 21 in July 2026. She performed her rendition of "Zombie" by the Irish rock band The Cranberries. She used an Ibanez Musician Series MC300 1978 model guitar which was gifted to her in 2024 by a Danish fan, Strit Bram. Her performance was aired on 7 July 2026.

==== Reactions ==== Nene received four "yeses" from Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B. Vergara commented the performance as "spectacular", while Mel B remarked: "You're like a match made in heaven. You're brilliant." Mandel commented, "You are such a surprise [with your] energy and the rock 'n' roll. You are a rock star, young lady, you really are." The audition became viral across various social media such as YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok. It had 1.5 million views within 24 hours on YouTube, and 100 million views on different social media by the second day. NBC, producer of the talent show, announced her performance as the most-viewed video among all the season auditions. Following Nene's popularity from the audition, Thai television and cable network company TrueVisions announced they begin would broadcasting America's Got Talent for Thai people to give support to her. Ong-Ard Prapakamol, head of the company, commented: "When a Thai artist brings her talent, creativity and determination to shine before a global audience, it inspires people across Thailand to send their support beyond borders." On 14 July, she was invited at the Cabinet meeting of Thailand government at the Prime Minister's official workhouse, Government House in Bangkok. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul joined her for performing the song "Som San". At the event, tourism and sports minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced that the government will support Nene including financing expenses for AGT performances. The government will also discuss on her appointment as an ambassador for tourism promotion. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security also announced that its plan to honour her with the Inspirational Youth honorary plaque on National Youth Day on September 20. On 15 July, Phuket governor Chotnarin Kerdsom presented Nene an appreciation certificate in a ceremony held at the Phuket Provincial Hall. On 12 August, on the ceremony for National Mother's Day 2026 in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn honoured her with a certificate citing her as an "outstandingly filial child.

=== Judges' Callbacks === For the 2026 season, AGT introduced a new round called Judges' Callbacks by which each judge can call any act that did not directly qualify for the next round to make another performance, instead of the group selection by all the judges as before, so that each judge will decide their choice of act for the next round. Nene was called up by Mandel and performed "Hysteria" by the British rock band Muse in front of Mandel and the guest judge Nikki Glaser. The broadcast was scheduled for 11 August 2026, but aired as an "early release" on AGT YouTube channel on 8 August. Her performance was an instant hit again, with over 2.1 million views within 24 hours of release on YouTube. Mandel and Glaser chose her as one of the acts going through to the AGT Live Shows.

=== Quarterfinals === On August 25, Nene performed "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden in the live quarterfinals competition. Using the same Ibanez guitar as in the previous performances, she was dressed in a combination of attire reflecting Thai culture – a sleeveless jacket in Tita style of Phuket's Baba-Peranakan and a silk fabric called Manjakiri brocade or Sompak Pum worn over her pants.

==== Reactions ==== Mandel was the first to comment, saying, "I know I'm not supposed to say this. NBC, give her the million right now." Vergara remarked: "Nene I think you could really win this competition... you can play that guitar... insanely." After ending her comment with "How could I not do this," Mel B gave her the Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the final. Vicky Cornell, widow of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, publicly praised Nene's performance, describing it as an exceptional rendition and an honour to her late husband's legacy. On 29 August, Thai rock musician Aed Carabao announced through Facebook that he will give Nene 1 million baht (~USD30,000) for her further journey on AGT.