As the stage lights dimmed and the confetti lingered in the air, history was officially made. Sixteen-year-old Thai guitarist and singer Nene Royal has been crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent Season 21. As she walks away with her $1 million prize money, I genuinely believe we are witnessing the emergence of the next rock icon.
From the second Nene stepped onto the stage, it was clear she wasn’t just another singer but a total phenomenon. Her jaw-dropping audition saw her take on “Zombie” by The Cranberries. Injecting the emotional track with a heavy, doom-infused guitar and powerful vocals, she instantly captured the world’s attention.
As the competition progressed, Nene only turned up the volume. Her cover of Muse‘s “Hysteria” brilliantly showcased her technical precision as she stormed through to the next round.
She then pulled off a spectacular rendition of Soundgarden‘s “Black Hole Sun”, (One of my personal favourites) proving she can deliver grunge with the best of them. It was this song that won her the golden buzzer and automatic entry into the final.
Nene saved her true masterstroke for last. Dressed head-to-toe in Bangkok silk, she reimagined the stadium anthem “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Transforming it into a bluesy, heavy-metal number, that was topped off with a blistering, two-handed tapping solo that brought everyone to their feet.
If that was not already enough she lived out a moment that probably felt like a dream during the results show by sharing the stage with Linkin Park for “The Emptiness Machine”. Playing alongside Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda, she didn’t look out of place for a single second. Commanding the stage and attention!
Nene entered this competition as a teenager with a guitar. She leaves it with a life-changing prize, millions of fans, and absolute proof that the future of rock is in incredibly safe hands.
Huge congratulations to Nene Royal from all of us here at Fox Reviews Rock! We honestly cannot wait to see where your career takes you. We will be watching and listening!
Let Fox Reviews Rock know what you think!