Nene Royal, a 16-year-old rock singer and guitarist from Phuket, Thailand,

She absolutely does! Nene Royal, a 16-year-old rock singer and guitarist from Phuket, Thailand, just made history on America’s Got Talent Season 21. During her quarterfinal performance, she delivered a jaw-dropping cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” while shredding on her electric guitar. Her mind-blowing stage presence completely shocked the judges and blew the roof off the auditorium. 

The Journey of AGT’s New Rock Monster

Nene’s path to the finale has been filled with viral moments that have captured the hearts of rock fans globally. Here is a look at what makes her so special: 

• The Big Win: Winning Mel B’s Live Golden Buzzer allows Nene to skip the public voting entirely. She goes straight to the finale stage. 

• Mel B’s High Praise: After the performance, Mel B told her, “Your vocals are on point. Your guitar is on point. Your look, your energy, your vibe, how could I not do this?” 
• Viral Rock Covers: Before shocking the world with Soundgarden, Nene went viral online with equally powerful covers of “Zombie” by The Cranberries and “Hysteria” by Muse. 
• The Ultimate Transformation: Fans and commentators have noted how sweet, humble, and quiet Nene is when she is off stage. But the second she grabs her guitar, she transforms into a total rock monster! 

American Got Talent 2026 with Nene Royal

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