Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal is introducing her talent to a wider international audience after advancing to the next round of America’s Got Talent. The 16-year-old musician from Phuket earned four yes votes from the judges with her audition, drawing attention for both her vocal performance and guitar playing.
Nene’s musical journey began at an early age. She started learning guitar when she was six years old, teaching herself by watching online videos and practicing consistently. Before appearing on television, she spent years performing as a busking musician at local markets in Phuket, gaining valuable experience by playing in front of live audiences. Those performances helped shape her confidence as an entertainer while allowing her to refine her skills.
Over time, Nene built a significant following online, attracting more than three million followers across social media platforms. She has also represented the international instrument brand Enya Music as one of its featured artists. Alongside her online presence, she has earned recognition through music competitions, including finishing as first runner-up at the 14th Overdrive Guitar Contest in 2023 and receiving the Outstanding Player award at the King Power Band Competition in 2025.
For her America’s Got Talent audition, Nene chose to perform “Zombie” by Irish rock band The Cranberries. Released in 1994 as the lead single from the album No Need to Argue, the song was written by the band’s lead vocalist Dolores O’Riordan. It was inspired by the 1993 Warrington bombings in England, which killed two children. Rather than being a general anti-war anthem, “Zombie” specifically reflects on the violence and long-running conflict known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The song became one of The Cranberries’ biggest international hits and remains recognized for its emotional lyrics, distinctive vocal delivery, and powerful rock arrangement.
Covering “Zombie” presents a challenge for any performer because of the song’s emotional weight and O’Riordan’s unmistakable vocal style. Instead of attempting a direct imitation, Nene delivered the song in her own way while preserving its intensity. Her performance combined strong vocals with live electric guitar, allowing her musicianship to stand alongside her singing rather than serving as simple accompaniment. The guitar solo added another dimension to the audition, highlighting her technical ability without distracting from the song itself.
During the audition, Nene introduced herself as being from Phuket, Thailand, and shared that she had been 15 years old when the performance was recorded, with her 16th birthday falling the following day. The moment prompted the judges and audience to sing “Happy Birthday” to her before she received unanimous yes votes to continue in the competition. The audience also responded with a standing ovation following her performance.
Outside the competition, Nene is continuing to develop her own original music. She is currently working with professional producers and musicians on her debut EP, marking another step in her career as she moves beyond cover performances toward establishing her own artistic identity. Her success on America’s Got Talent represents an opportunity to introduce both her talent and Thailand’s growing music scene to a broader international audience.
Source: Compiled from various sources
