For her final competitive appearance on America’s Got Talent, 16-year-old Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal performed the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” The choice capped a four-song run of alternative and hard-rock classics. Royal stayed with the guitar-driven sound she established in earlier rounds with songs by the Cranberries, Muse and Soundgarden.
Royal performed during the live September 22, 2026 final, ahead of the nationwide vote. The following evening, host Terry Crews announced Royal as the Season 21 winner on the September 23 results show, with contemporary reports identifying the championship prize as $1 million. Runner-up Geno Ploeger finished second, while magic group Hundred Fingers took third. As reported by ABS-CBN, the victory made Royal the first Thai act to win America’s Got Talent.
Royal introduced herself at the auditions with a driving rendition of the Cranberries’ “Zombie,” playing electric guitar. She advanced through Judges’ Callbacks with a cover of Muse’s “Hysteria,” then tackled Soundgarden’s grunge anthem “Black Hole Sun” in the live quarterfinals. That performance prompted judge Mel B to press her Golden Buzzer, sending Royal directly into the finals under the season’s updated competition format.
Written by Jack White and released on the White Stripes’ 2003 album Elephant, “Seven Nation Army” won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Over the next two decades, its simple seven-note riff grew from an indie-rock staple into a stadium chant at international sporting events. Its familiarity suited a prime-time television finale while retaining the heavy alternative edge Royal favored. Relive the explosive performance that earned Royal a direct ticket to the finals courtesy of Mel B.
Royal’s musical background began well before her American television debut. According to media reports, the young musician, also identified in coverage under the transliterated name Rattikan “Praew” Amloy, is from Phuket, Thailand. She developed her stagecraft performing locally as the frontwoman and guitarist for the youth rock band OZONE. Years of regional live shows and competitive guitar contests in Thailand provided the foundation for her four competitive performances on America’s Got Talent.
After the broadcast, one YouTube viewer wrote, “This isn’t a competition; it’s a concert performance,” while another fan wrote, “You’re a rarity Nene. Love from Philippines.” By September 24, 2026, the official AGT upload of her performance had passed 9 million views and drawn around 285,000 likes.