Nene Royal: A 16-year-old guitarist from Phuket, Thailand, is America's newest talent champion. Nene Royal won "America's Got Talent" on Wednesday night. She takes home the $1 million grand prize.
Host Terry Crews announced her as the winner during the season finale.
Royal told Gold Derby she nearly collapsed from shock in the moment. "I'm a bit shocked, but it's amazing," she said.
Royal said she stayed calm by reminding herself she had already done her best. She praised her fellow finalists as "incredible."
Runner-up Geno Ploeger and third-place act Hundred Fingers rounded out the top three. Royal said voters faced a genuinely difficult choice.
A Surprise Duet With Linkin Park
The show paired finalists with celebrity guests for the finale. Royal was matched with rock band Linkin Park.
She said the moment caught her completely off guard.
Royal explained she initially thought she'd perform a Linkin Park song solo. She was rehearsing alone when the band walked in.
"I thought I was going to perform alone onstage," she said. The band then told her they'd share the stage together.
Royal called the experience surreal, saying her dreams had come true.
With that milestone behind her, Royal named other acts she hopes to share a stage with someday.
Her list includes Avenged Sevenfold, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, The Warning, Metallica and AC/DC.
She described the bands as major influences on her sound.
Fan Support and a Message for Simon Cowell
Royal said she felt the audience's backing throughout the competition, starting with her audition.
She recalled seeing fans confidently predict her win online. Royal said she tried not to dwell on those expectations.
She noted she would have been proud of a top-two finish regardless of the outcome.
Judge and executive producer Simon Cowell missed the finale and several live shows this season.
He is recovering from back surgery. Royal addressed him directly, thanking him for his support since her first audition.
She said she hopes to see him again soon.
From Audition to Champion
Royal said she chose to compete this year because she no longer saw herself as "a little girl holding a guitar."
She said she now sees herself as a full-fledged rock artist.
She watched past seasons of the show at home before trying out, hoping one day to stand on that stage as champion herself.
Her run on the NBC competition included three standout performances.
She sang "Zombie" during her audition, "Black Hole Sun" in the quarterfinals, and "Seven Nation Army" in the finale.
Her audition drew more than 20 million views online. Judge Mel B awarded her the Golden Buzzer during the quarterfinal round.
Royal said she plans to put her winnings toward original music. Her goal is to release an album or EP and eventually tour behind it.
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