Thai teenage guitarist and singer Nene Royal is set to open for US metal band Avenged Sevenfold in Singapore next month, following her breakthrough victory on “America’s Got Talent.”

The 16-year-old musician will perform as a special guest at Avenged Sevenfold’s Singapore show on October 13, according to an announcement shared by the band’s promoter and Nene on Instagram.

The opportunity comes just weeks after Nene went from performing at night markets in her hometown of Phuket to winning the 21st season of “America’s Got Talent” and a $1 million prize.

Nene first attracted international attention with her audition, delivering a powerful performance of “Zombie” by The Cranberries. Her vocals, guitar playing, headbanging and extended guitar solos turned the audition into a full-scale rock performance, quickly making her a fan favorite.

The original TikTok video of the performance has since received more than 165 million views.

During the competition, Nene received a Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B, sending her directly to the live shows. She also performed with Mexican sibling rock band The Warning before joining Linkin Park on stage during the finale for a performance of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.

When host Terry Crews announced Nene as the winner over magician Geno Ploeger, the teenager fell to the floor in disbelief and cried as gold confetti filled the stage.

“I’m very happy and emotional,” Nene said afterward while thanking her supporters.

Her upcoming performance with Avenged Sevenfold marks another major step in her rapid rise. The band, which formed in Huntington Beach, California, is scheduled to tour Asia and Australasia, with the Singapore concert giving Nene the chance to perform for a large audience of metal fans.

Nene has previously identified Avenged Sevenfold as one of her major musical inspirations.

Her success has also sparked widespread excitement in Thailand. Nene, who is from the island of Phuket, began teaching herself to play guitar at age 7 and performed at Phuket’s Naka Weekend Market before appearing on international stages.

She is currently working on her debut EP.

Thailand’s renowned rock musician Aed Carabao pledged 1 million Thai baht, approximately $30,000, to help cover travel expenses for Nene and her family during her trip to California.

Nene has also received support from Thai businesses and fans. A billboard featuring her image and messages from Thai supporters appeared in New York City’s Times Square, while Thai conglomerate CP Group reportedly gifted her a luxury condominium in Bangkok.

The Thai government also praised Nene following her victory, describing her as an inspiration to people who dream of achieving success and highlighting the way she represented her Thai identity on one of the world’s biggest entertainment stages.

Winning “America’s Got Talent” had been one of Nene’s biggest dreams, she told Entertainment Weekly.

She said her next goals are to create and release her own music, tour internationally and eventually share stages with artists and bands that have inspired her, including Avenged Sevenfold and Metallica.

SOURCE: CNN, Lex Harvey, September 2026.