Thai Teen Rocker Wins America's Got Talent

A sixteen-year-old Thai rock singer and guitarist won the America's Got Talent television show, taking home a prize of one million dollars after beating a magician in the final round. Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, collapsed to the stage floor in California when her victory was announced on Thursday. The teenager from the island of Phuket has performed with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the US band Linkin Park. Before her win, videos of her playing alternative rock songs like Zombie by The Cranberries and Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden went viral in Thailand. She started playing guitar at the age of seven, learning mostly by watching online videos before earning a music scholarship to a private international school. In her final performance on the show, she played guitar and sang alongside Linkin Park. Prime Minister Anutin, who is currently in New York for United Nations meetings, sent his congratulations and praised her dedication. Deputy government spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan stated that the win brought pride to Thai people. Celebrations erupted back home in Thailand, where her school held watch parties for students and teachers, and a Phuket night market where she used to play hailed her as an inspiration.