Nene Royal Wins ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21.
A new rock sensation is on the rise. Singer and guitarist Nene Royal was crowned the season 21 champion of America's Got Talent on September 23 after her heavy metal style won over the judges and America.
Judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and guest judge KSI gave Royal a golden buzzer for her outstanding performance of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," securing her place in the finale (Simon Cowell has been absent from the AGT judges' panel while he recovers from back surgery).
On finale nite, the 16-year-old and the band performed Linkin Park's "The Emptiness Machine" in celebration of the fantastic event.
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In the end, Royal defeated magician Geno Ploeger to secure the top spot this season when it came down to the last two performers.
"I'm very happy and emotional right now," Royal, the first Thai champion of the US series and a native of Phuket, Thailand, said to the audience upon her victory.
In actuality, winning the series was far beyond her wildest expectations.
"My dream was I just want to be on AGT,” following the conclusion, she informed USA Today. "If I didn't get through, I'm very happy because my dream was I just want to perform one time on AGT.”
Rather, she achieved a lifelong goal by rocking her way to the top of the series.
"My dream was that I really, really want to become a rockstar,” she added, “and go on some tours around the world.”
Her fellow Thai people hope she returns home to celebrate her victory now that her ambition has come true.
“What makes this win special is that Nene carried her Thai identity with confidence onto one of the world's biggest stages," the BBC cited a statement from the public relations division of the Thai government. “She showed that talent, hard work, and determination can come from anywhere, including a young girl from Phuket with a guitar and a big dream."
Ploeger, the runner-up who enthralled audiences with his enchanted performances, doesn't seem like he lost anything.
"I think a lot of people might look at it that way, but I'm so fortunate to be here at the finals," USA Today was informed by him. "Regardless of what had happened, I felt like I'd already won."
