Nene Royal is first Thai AGT winner
Teen rocker Nene Royal becomes first Thai to win America's Got Talent
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Warm-up
- Have you ever watched a talent show? Which one?
- What kind of acts do you enjoy: music, magic or dance?
- Who is a young artist from your country that you like? Why?
Vocabulary
- finalist
- A person who reaches the last part of a competition.
- audition
- A short test performance to try to join a show.
- viral
- Shared very quickly online by many people.
- livestream
- A video shown live on the internet.
- magician
- A performer who does tricks that look like magic.
- busk
- To play music in public places for money from passers-by.
- prize
- Something valuable that you win in a competition.
- announce
- To say something officially to many people.
Reading
Nene Royal, 16, won America’s Got Talent, the show’s first Thai winner. In Tuesday’s final in California, she performed Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Her heavy metal style beat nine other finalists, including magicians, canine acts and a robot dance crew. The prize is $1m (£755,000).
Nene became a fan favourite after a viral audition where she belted Zombie. Before the results were announced, she performed The Emptiness Machine with Linkin Park. When her name was announced, she cried and knelt on stage.
Many fans in Thailand watched a YouTube livestream because NBC did not air it there. The stream ended mid-announcement, then social media quickly filled with celebrations. Nene started guitar at seven and used to busk at Phuket’s Naka Weekend Market. Her school, Kajonkiet International School, also cheered their student.
Comprehension
- What record did Nene set with her win?
- Where did the final take place?
- Which song did she perform in the final?
- How many other finalists did she beat?
- What is the winner’s cash prize?
Grammar focus
Phrasal verbs (inseparable)
Phrasal verbs here are verb + particle that must stay together (you cannot put the particle elsewhere). Learn the whole phrase as one unit. (Examples constructed.)
- Volunteers took after heavy metal legends.
- She grew up in Phuket and started to busk.
Grammar exercise
Circle the correct option in each sentence.
- Volunteers (look after / after look) instruments at the market.
- Fans (into ran / ran into) each other at the livestream.
- Contestants (showed up / up showed) on stage for the final.
- The room (up filled / filled up) with cheers after the win.
- Audience (the delay up with / put up with) a short stream pause.
Discussion
- Do you watch talent shows? Why or why not?
- Which would you enjoy more: music, magic or dance? Why?
- Have you ever performed in public? How did it feel?
- What helps young people follow a big dream?
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