THIS 16-YEAR-OLD JUST TURNED AGT INTO A ROCK CONCERT. 🤘🔥 — NENE ROYAL LEAVES THE JUDGES STUNNED WITH A MUSE CLASSIC Sixteen-year-old Nene Royal stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage and proved she was far more than just another young guitarist. With a powerful voice, explosive guitar work and a stage presence far beyond her years, the teenager from Thailand completely transformed Muse’s “Hysteria” into a full-blown rock spectacle.

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16-Year-Old Nene Royal Crushes Muse’s “Hysteria” on AGT 2026 Callbacks

Bangkok Post - Nene Royal's 'Hysteria' tops 1 million views

LOS ANGELES — Sixteen-year-old rock prodigy Nene Royal delivered a showstopping performance during the America’s Got Talent Season 21 (2026) Judges’ Callbacks round. Hailing from Phuket, Thailand, the guitarist and vocalist elevated her showmanship to command the stage with a heavy-hitting cover of Muse’s 2003 alt-rock hit, “Hysteria.”

🎸 From Shy Teenager to Rock Icon

Facing resistance from her parents regarding a career in rock music, Nene used her audition run to prove her passion:

[Performance Evolution: AGT 2026 Callbacks]
  ├── Performer: Nene Royal (16 years old, Phuket, Thailand)
  ├── Featured Song: "Hysteria" by Muse
  ├── Critique Focus: Showmanship and dynamic crowd engagement
  └── Key Highlights: Driving bass-line guitar tone, explosive vocal delivery, high-energy crowd interaction

  • Overcoming Parent Hesitation: Nene shared backstage that her parents originally preferred she study business, but changed their minds after seeing her national television success: “My parents, they say like, ‘I’m very proud of you.'”

  • Stage Presence: Challenged by judges to bring pure showmanship to the stage, Nene worked the crowd, urging the audience to make noise before launching into the track’s signature fuzz-laden riff.

Rất mong chờ Nene Royal trở lại sân khấu AGT tuần tới cho vòng Callbacks. : r/agt

💬 Nikki Glaser & Panel Praise Dual Talent

Guest judge Nikki Glaser praised Nene’s command of two demanding disciplines simultaneously—lead guitar and lead vocals:

“You got us all really amped up… I want more. Whether you move her on or not, I’m getting a ticket!” Nikki Glaser exclaimed. “It’s almost like a blend of two separate, different talents. Voice alone, I would go see that, but then guitar alone…”

Following the performance, Nene expressed her excitement backstage: “I think I played perfect, right guys? Having lots of audience makes me more confident and gives me more energy.” Nene now stands as a standout contender for a spot in the AGT 2026 Live Shows.