‘America’s Got Talent’ Crowns Season 21 Champion
Nene Royal performs during the final of "America's Got Talent" season 21. NBC/AGT
Dreams do come true. That’s certainly the case for Nene Royal, the precocious talent who was tonight crowned winner of America’s Got Talent.
The 16-year-old Thai singer and guitarist has electrified audiences — and AGT‘s judges — throughout this 21st season.
When it mattered most, the teen sensation captured the heart of the nation. She won America’s vote and captured the title, announced during the two hour results show, which aired Wednesday night (Sept. 23) on NBC.
As the champion, Royal earns more than bragging rights. She scores the $1 million winner’s check and a headlining spot in a live show in Las Vegas.
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Royal picked up the guitar at age seven and has always dreamed of being a “superstar on tour,” she explained during the auditions phase of AGT. She proved on the day that she wasn’t dreaming, by thrashing out an impressive cover of The Cranberries mid-‘90s protest anthem “Zombie.” During the quarterfinals, she nearly blew the roof off with a cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” and earned the Golden Buzzer for her efforts.
For her performance in the season 21 finale, Nene reimagined the White Stripes’ classic 2000s number “Seven Nation Army,” grinding Jack White’s iconic riff into a heavy weapon and introducing a fresh guitar solo. The youngster wore a traditional dress, emblazoned with the words “Nene Thailand.”
“Well, I’m glad I pressed my Golden Buzzer,” Mel B remarked after amps were turned off. “Because not only do you have such mysterious, mystical stage presence, you’re from the best place in the world, Phuket, Thailand…and what you’re bringing to this competition is so unique and you’re only 16 years old. If you don’t win this, I am going to sell Howie’s new house.”
Sofía Vergara said she was confident that the “world is going crazy because there is nothing like you right now, you are unique.”
Howie Mandel spoke last. Nene, he enthused, is “the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage…you should win. Give her the million, America.”
The veteran actor spoke truth. It was a winning performance.
Special guests and performers during the live results show included Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Lele Pons, REI AMI and Steve Aoki.
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