Nene Royal takes AGT live stage as US voting opens
The 16-year-old Phuket singer competes on August 25 US time, with replays available in Thailand through TrueVisions NOW and Channel 340
Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal is scheduled to take the stage in the second live quarter-final of America’s Got Talent Season 21, with eligible viewers in the United States deciding whether she advances in the competition.
The 16-year-old Phuket musician is due to perform at 8pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), corresponding to about 7am in Thailand on Wednesday (August 26).
Voting will take place during the live-show period, with the result due to be announced in the United States the following night, or on the morning of Thursday (August 27) in Thailand.
Nene is appearing in the second group of 11 quarter-finalists after progressing through the audition and Judges’ Callbacks rounds.
US audience vote determines who advances
The live quarter-finals feature 44 acts divided into four groups of 11, with one group performing each week.
Eligible viewers in the United States aged 16 or older can vote through the AGT mobile application, the AGT section of NBC.com and designated posts on the programme’s TikTok account.
Each week also gives one judge an opportunity to award a Live Show Golden Buzzer, sending one selected act directly to the finale. The other contestants must rely on the American public vote.
The performance and results shows are arranged over four consecutive weeks:
- First quarter-final: August 18–19
- Second quarter-final: August 25–26
- Third quarter-final: September 1–2
- Fourth quarter-final: September 8–9
The semi-finals will be held on September 15–16. The final performances are scheduled for September 22, followed by the announcement of the winner on September 23.
Nene’s appearance in the second live quarter-final had previously been confirmed before she travelled from Phuket to the United States.
How to watch from Thailand
America’s Got Talent airs on NBC in the United States. Thai viewers can follow replays of Season 21 through TrueVisions NOW and True X-Zyte, Channel 340.
The available Thai services are listed as replay channels rather than a simultaneous live broadcast from the United States.
Viewers in Thailand are not eligible to participate directly in America’s Vote. They can instead support Nene by following and sharing material published through the programme’s official social-media accounts.
Nene’s path to the live shows
Nene attracted attention during the audition round with her performance of “Zombie” by Irish rock band The Cranberries.
She later performed “Hysteria” by British rock band Muse during the Judges’ Callbacks, securing a place among the 44 acts selected for the live quarter-finals.
Her performances have generated extensive engagement across America’s Got Talent’s online platforms. Bloomberg reported that material featuring Nene had accumulated more than 200 million views, describing it as the programme’s highest total for a contestant this season.
Thai campaign promotes Nene in the US
The Thai government has announced support for Nene and has involved her in promoting the country through the “Amazing Thailand” campaign.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand had considered supporting her travel expenses for the later stages of the competition.
They also discussed publicity aimed at reaching eligible American voters, whose support will determine whether she progresses beyond the live round.
Nene has used the phrases “Amazing Thailand” and “Phuket, Thailand” during her appearances and related publicity. The campaign presents her participation as an opportunity to promote Thailand and Phuket to the programme’s international audience while she continues competing as a young Thai artist.
