Phuket Teen Nene Royal Returns to Stage Before America's Got Talent Final

PHUKET, Thailand – Phuket teenager Nene Royal returned to the stage in her hometown on Sept. 12 for a special concert with her band Ozone, just days before leaving Thailand to compete in the final of America’s Got Talent. Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, gained international attention after receiving a Golden Buzzer from Mel B during her America’s Got Talent audition, following her performance of “Black Hole Sun.” The 16-year-old singer and her Ozone bandmates returned to Phuket after spending time rehearsing for the competition’s final, scheduled for Sept. 22. The concert was held at 9 p.m. at Naka Market, the same location where Nene began performing as a busker at the age of eight. The return performance gave local fans an opportunity to see the young singer again before she and her family leave Phuket International Airport on Sept. 15 to travel to the United States for the final. Nene’s journey from performing for crowds at Naka Market to receiving a Golden Buzzer on one of the world’s best-known talent shows has drawn strong support from fans in Phuket and across Thailand. She will now take that support with her to the America’s Got Talent final, where she will compete for the chance to become the show’s next winner.