Phuket Teen Rocker Nene Royal Wins Four Yeses on America’s Got Talent

A 16-year-old musician from Phuket has captured international attention after earning unanimous approval from the judges during her audition on America’s Got Talent, moving one step closer to her ambition of becoming a globally recognized artist.

Rattikarn "Praew" Amloy, who performs under the stage name Nene Royal, is well known to visitors of Naka Night Market, where she regularly plays with her rock band, Ozone. The group has become a familiar attraction for both Thai residents and foreign tourists visiting the popular market.

Frequent performances in front of international audiences inspired the band to add classic rock songs by globally renowned artists to their repertoire. Their performances gradually built a loyal fan base, with some tourists reportedly making special trips to Naka Market specifically to watch Nene perform.

Before appearing on the American television competition, Nene had already earned recognition in Thailand's music scene. She finished as the runner-up in the 14th Overdrive Guitar Contest in 2023 and later became an endorsed artist for Enya Music.

Her audition on America's Got Talent introduced her to millions of viewers worldwide. Performing "Zombie" by The Cranberries, Nene showcased both her singing and guitar skills, impressing the judging panel and receiving four unanimous "yes" votes, allowing her to advance in the competition.

During the audition, the young musician explained that she had travelled to the United States with her father and described the AGT stage as the largest audience she had ever faced. She also revealed that she began teaching herself to play the guitar at the age of seven.

Although she was already popular among international visitors to Phuket, Nene admitted she had not been widely known across Thailand before her AGT appearance. Since the broadcast, however, her audition has attracted widespread attention on Thai social media.

Speaking after the program aired, Nene thanked viewers for their support.

"I want to thank everyone in Thailand who has encouraged me. I never imagined so many people would support me after appearing on AGT. My dream is to become a world-class artist, tour internationally, and write songs for people around the world."

Her success has also drawn attention to the support she has received from her family. According to local reports, her father built a rehearsal studio at their home in Phuket so she and her bandmates could practice together.

He later said watching his daughter perform on one of the world's biggest talent show stages was an emotional moment and thanked everyone who continues to support her journey in the competition.