Nene Royal wins global fans with surprise Soundgarden cover

Nene Royal’s international fanbase has surged following her latest America’s Got Talent performance, with viewers around the world praising the 16-year-old Thai singer and guitarist for her unexpected interpretation of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun.

One of the most widely liked comments beneath the performance video on the official America’s Got Talent YouTube channel declared: “Sorry, Thailand. Nene belongs to the world now.”

Thai fans responded warmly to the message, with many replying: “With pleasure.”

The reactions suggested that Nene — whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy and who is also known by the nickname Praew — may be outgrowing her affectionate Thai label of “the nation’s daughter” as her following expands internationally.

An unexpected Soundgarden choice

For the live show, Nene performed on stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium before an audience of nearly 3,000 people.

She chose Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden, the influential grunge-rock band from Seattle in the United States.

The song came as a surprise to fans, many of whom had spent the days before the performance speculating about what she would play. Nene had not previously performed the song in public, making its appearance in the live round especially unexpected.

Her arrangement combined vocals and guitar playing while placing her own interpretation on a song closely associated with one of rock music’s best-known bands.

Viewers repeatedly praised Nene for avoiding a straightforward imitation and instead reshaping the track around her own voice and performance style.

Commenter @christiannelouis1902 said that although fans had been waiting for Nene’s appearance, nobody knew what to expect.

“Then she did something completely unexpected with that song,” the commenter wrote, adding that few viewers could have predicted her choice of Soundgarden and describing her as “a true rock star”.

Another viewer, @jesslyngekleng2441, said Nene had made the song entirely her own.

“She owned it,” the commenter wrote, sending congratulations and support from Singapore.

Emotional reactions cross borders

Many viewers said the performance and the Golden Buzzer moment had moved them to tears.

User @jaaeh99 described it as the first America’s Got Talent performance to make them cry so intensely.

“I was happy, thoroughly entertained and deeply moved at the same time,” the commenter wrote, praising Nene’s ability as extraordinary.

Thai viewers expressed similar emotions. One said he shouted in his room and began crying when the Golden Buzzer was pressed, while another wrote that “the whole country” was crying and that watching the clip repeatedly continued to bring tears.

A further Thai commenter said that although Nene was neither a daughter nor a relative, they were so pleased for her that they could not stop themselves from crying.

International fans also described the performance as unusually emotional for a rock number.

“How does Nene turn every rock or metal performance into an emotional roller coaster?” @DanceWithAmps asked, adding: “I have tears again.”

User @GuitarChain2009 said the Golden Buzzer had made him cry, while @alaska4joe wrote that an America’s Got Talent performance had never previously brought them to tears.

“The world united for her,” the commenter wrote. “There is something about her that goes beyond talent.”

Another viewer, @robertlee8703, said he had watched the performance live on television before returning to watch it several more times on YouTube.

“She is something different,” he wrote. “I cried and had goosebumps. Thank you, Nene. You brought rock back to life.”

Rock fans predict a global career

Long-time rock listeners were among those praising Nene’s command of the song.

User @markkunz691, who described himself as a fan of rock music from the 1970s, said he had seen many bands that understood how to play and perform.

He told Nene that she was bringing those qualities back, praising her control over both her vocals and guitar playing and her ability to draw listeners into the music.

“Stay true to yourself and enjoy the journey,” he wrote.

Another commenter, @metalmark1214, said Nene had made Black Hole Sun her own and deserved the Golden Buzzer.

Several viewers were already imagining her beyond the television competition.

User @Patrixpad awarded “100%” for her vocals, guitar playing, charisma and overall performance, before adding: “I am ready to book a ticket for her world tour.”

@MyanmarGiffarine declared that “a new star has been born”, saying the appeal of Nene’s performance was difficult to resist.

One of the most personal responses came from @SuthepLeechalad, who identified himself as a 62-year-old man who had never voted in a reality programme.

“This is my first time, and I gave everything to Nene Royal,” he wrote.

Regardless of whether she ultimately won or lost, he said he believed she would become “a mega rock star”.

The growing international reaction was perhaps best captured by the comment that prompted Thai fans to symbolically share their young star with the rest of the world.

“Sorry, Thailand,” @endonutz wrote. “Nene belongs to the world now.”