Overview
- Nene Royal delivered a fiery cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” during the Quarterfinals, a performance television audiences saw on Tuesday that drew a standing ovation.
- Judge Howie Mandel praised her on-air and urged NBC to award her the million-dollar prize, reflecting strong panel enthusiasm for her rock‑oriented act.
- Mel B met Nene backstage, praised her vocals and guitar work, and pressed the Live Show Golden Buzzer to immediately fast‑track her to the AGT final without needing viewer votes.
- Born Rattikarn Amloy in Phuket, Nene is 16 and reached the live shows after auditioning with The Cranberries’ “Zombie” and advancing from callbacks with Muse’s “Hysteria.”
- Simon Cowell missed the Aug. 25 broadcast because he was undergoing an operation, other quarterfinalists remained subject to viewer voting, and Nene’s direct advancement removes her from that results process.