Nene Royal’s success has brought great joy to Thai music fans. Nene Royal (Nene Royal), also known as Rattikan Amloy, a 16-year-old singer and guitarist from Phuket, received the Golden Buzzer from Mel B, one of the judges on America’s Got Talent 2026, after her Quarterfinals performance. This automatically advanced her to the finals.
Many followers of the competition may wonder what the Golden Buzzer is, why it matters, and why it was such a pivotal moment for Nene on the global stage. Thairath Online has summarized it for you.
The Golden Buzzer —known to Thai fans as the “golden button”—is a special privilege on America’s Got Talent granted to contestants who deeply impress the judges or hosts.
When the Golden Buzzer is pressed, golden lights and confetti shower the stage amid cheers from the audience. But more importantly, the contestant receiving the Golden Buzzer immediately advances to a designated round of the competition (the conditions of the Golden Buzzer vary by round and season format).
Thus, the Golden Buzzer acts like a “ fast pass ” that not only signals a standout performance to the judges but also protects the contestant from elimination risk.
In the Quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent Season 21, Nene took the stage to sing and play guitar to “ Black Hole Sun ” by the band Soundgarden. Mel B decided to press the live Golden Buzzer for her, sending her straight to the finals without needing to wait for audience votes.
Before receiving the Golden Buzzer, Nene went viral for her audition performance of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, showcasing both her vocal power and guitar skills. She earned a “Yes” from the judges and advanced to the next round. That performance became one of the season’s most popular audition clips, even though she did not receive the Golden Buzzer at that stage.
Next, Nene passed the Judges’ Callbacks round, where judges re-evaluate auditionees to select who advances to the Live Shows. She performed “Hysteria” by Muse and secured her spot in the live competition.
Then, in the Quarterfinals, Nene proved herself once again and earned the live Golden Buzzer from Mel B, becoming the Thai contestant to reach the America’s Got Talent 2026 finals.
Although the Golden Buzzer guarantees Nene immediate advancement to the finals, it does not mean she has won the competition. In the finals, she must still perform and compete against other finalists. The final results depend on the show’s rules and the votes from the American audience.
Nevertheless, receiving the Golden Buzzer is a major achievement, demonstrating that Nene’s talent has won over judges and viewers worldwide, bringing her closer to the America’s Got Talent championship.
From a young girl in Phuket who began playing music as a child to standing amid golden confetti on the AGT stage, Nene Royal’s journey is not only a personal success but also a proud moment for Thai artists showcasing their talent to a global audience.