Nene Royal advances to AGT finale with Mel B’s Golden Buzzer

Thai teenage rock singer and guitarist Nene Royal has received the Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B after delivering a powerful performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” on the live stage of America’s Got Talent Season 21.

The 16-year-old Phuket native performed the 1994 grunge hit during the second quarter-final of the US talent show on Tuesday night, August 25, winning over Mel B and the live audience with her vocals and guitar playing.

After the performance, Mel B marvelled at how Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, appeared to be an entirely different person backstage compared with how she appeared on stage.

Mel B initially drew boos from the audience when she admitted that the rock song was not her kind of music. But she said Nene’s voice and look were “on point”.

“How could I not do this?” Mel B asked before pressing her Golden Buzzer, sending golden confetti raining down over the stage as Nene burst into tears.

Her parents, who were among the audience, joined her on stage to celebrate.

The Golden Buzzer sends the young singer directly to the America’s Got Talent Season 21 finale, allowing her to bypass the semi-finals.

Her latest performance marked her third appearance on the show.

She first captured international attention during the auditions with her rendition of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”, earning four “Yes” votes from judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B.

She returned in the Judges’ Callbacks round with Muse’s “Hysteria”, again singing and playing lead guitar. The performance earned her a place among the 44 acts selected for the live shows.

Nene’s Golden Buzzer marks another major milestone for the young musician from Phuket, who previously performed as a busker with her band, Ozone.

She will now compete in the America’s Got Talent Season 21 finale for the show’s US$1 million top prize.