Nene Royal Brings Phuket Heritage to the America’s Got Talent Stage

Nene Royal Brings Phuket Heritage to the America’s Got Talent Stage

Phuket teenager Nene Royal combined her rock image with southern Thai heritage through a custom batik jacket worn during the America’s Got Talent performance that sent her directly to the final. The 16-year-old performed Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” earning a Live Golden Buzzer from Mel B for her voice, guitar playing, energy and stage presence. Tita Style created the jacket in only two days, using a dark black-and-grey design inspired by Phuket’s Baba-Peranakan culture rather than the brighter colors commonly associated with batik. Its fabric featured a traditional Chinese key motif from Krabi-based Dahla Batik, a pattern associated with prosperity and sometimes described as a “hook for wealth.” Combined with oversized jeans, boots and her electric guitar, the outfit allowed Nene to represent her Phuket roots while maintaining the contemporary rock aesthetic that has defined her AGT performances.