At just 16, Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal has already captured the attention of an international audience after delivering an unexpected performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” on America’s Got Talent.

The young performer’s latest appearance quickly generated an outpouring of praise from viewers around the world, with fans highlighting not only her vocal ability but also her guitar playing, stage presence and emotional interpretation of the iconic grunge song.

One comment beneath the performance on the official America’s Got Talent YouTube channel summed up the growing international reaction in a single line:

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

Thai fans embraced the sentiment, responding warmly: “With pleasure.”

For Nene — whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy and who is also known by the nickname Praew — the reaction represents another step in a remarkable rise from a young Thai performer to an artist attracting attention far beyond her home country.

A Soundgarden song nobody expected

Nene took the stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in front of an audience of nearly 3,000 people for the live show.

Her song choice immediately stood out.

Rather than performing a more predictable contemporary pop selection, Nene chose “Black Hole Sun,” the haunting 1994 hit by Seattle grunge pioneers Soundgarden.

The choice came as a surprise because she had never previously performed the song publicly. Fans had spent days speculating about what she might sing, only to discover that she had selected one of rock music’s most recognizable tracks.

Nene’s performance combined singing and guitar, but she did not simply attempt to reproduce Soundgarden’s original recording. Instead, she reshaped the song around her own voice and performance style.

That decision became one of the biggest talking points among viewers.

One commenter, @christiannelouis1902, said fans had been eagerly anticipating Nene’s appearance but had no idea what she would choose.

Then, according to the viewer, she delivered “something completely unexpected with that song.”

The commenter said few people could have predicted that Nene would choose Soundgarden and called her “a true rock star.”

Another viewer, @jesslyngekleng2441 from Singapore, said Nene had completely made the song her own.

“She owned it,” the commenter wrote.

A performance that left viewers in tears

The reaction was not limited to admiration for Nene’s technical ability.

Many viewers said they were unexpectedly emotional while watching the performance, particularly during the Golden Buzzer moment.

User @jaaeh99 described it as the first America’s Got Talent performance that had made them cry so intensely.

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

Thai viewers described similarly powerful reactions.

One said they shouted in their room and began crying when the Golden Buzzer was pressed. Another wrote that “the whole country” was crying and admitted that watching the performance repeatedly still brought them to tears.

A different Thai viewer said Nene was not a daughter or relative, yet they felt so proud and happy for her that they could not hold back their tears.

The emotional response extended well beyond Thailand.

“How does Nene turn every rock or metal performance into an emotional roller coaster?” asked @DanceWithAmps, adding that they were crying again.

User @GuitarChain2009 also said the Golden Buzzer brought them to tears.

Another viewer, @alaska4joe, said they had never previously been moved to tears by an America’s Got Talent performance.

“The world united for her,” the commenter wrote, adding that there was something about Nene that seemed to go beyond talent.

Rock fans see something special

Nene’s performance also attracted attention from longtime rock listeners who appreciated her ability to handle both the vocal and instrumental demands of the song.

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

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

Another viewer, @markkunz691, described himself as a rock fan who had been listening to the genre since the 1970s.

He said he had seen plenty of bands that knew how to play and perform, but praised Nene for bringing those qualities to the stage.

In particular, he highlighted her control of both her vocals and guitar playing, as well as her ability to draw the audience into the music.

His advice to the teenager was simple: “Stay true to yourself and enjoy the journey.”

User @metalmark1214 similarly said Nene had transformed “Black Hole Sun” into her own performance and deserved the Golden Buzzer.

Fans are already imagining a future beyond the show

The enthusiasm has quickly moved beyond the performance itself, with some viewers already predicting a major international career for Nene.

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

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

Another particularly personal reaction came from @SuthepLeechalad, who said he was 62 years old and had never previously voted on a reality television programme.

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

Regardless of whether Nene ultimately won or lost the competition, he said he believed she had what it would take to become “a mega rock star.”

That sentiment reflects the wider reaction surrounding the young Thai performer.

Nene’s appearance was not simply praised as another successful reality-show performance. For many viewers, her unexpected choice of a classic Soundgarden song, combined with her vocals, guitar work and emotional delivery, made the performance feel distinctive.

And perhaps the clearest sign that Nene’s audience is expanding internationally came from the comment that Thai fans happily embraced:

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