Rattikan ‘Nene’ Amlai, who performs as ‘Nene Royal’, impressed the judges with a live performance of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’, combining powerful vocals with electric guitar. Her audition has since gone viral online, attracting widespread praise from viewers around the world.
Speaking in Phuket yesterday (July 9), Nene said she had long dreamed of auditioning for the popular US television talent competition.
“I was very nervous when I walked onto the stage. When I saw the four judges, my heart was racing,” she said.
“But I told myself I had practised and had to do my best. Many people might have expected me to perform something soft, but I love rock music, so I gave it everything I had with both my singing and guitar. I performed as though it was my own concert.”
Nene said the highlight of the experience came after her performance, when all the judges (except Simon Cowell) stood and applauded.
“One of the judges called me ‘a rockstar’, and that made me cry," she said. “When I saw my father crying afterwards, I knew all the hard work had been worth it. We hugged backstage and it was the happiest moment.”
She said preparing for the audition took several months, with daily practice sessions focused on both singing and guitar.
“When I got tired, I rested for a few minutes and then carried on practising,” she said.
Her father, Narong Amlai, 57, said the audition was prepared entirely by the family without hiring a producer or a professional production team.
The family arranged the music, recorded and edited the audition video and submitted it to the programme, making changes based on feedback throughout the selection process. Nene also studied singing and guitar with Yamaha instructors, including teacher Kongkiat.
Nene said she began learning to sing at the age of seven before taking up the guitar. Although she initially struggled with sore fingers, she quickly developed a passion for music.
The first song she learned to play was ‘Zombie’ – the same song that has now taken her onto the international stage.
She credited her father for introducing her to rock music while growing up. Although no one in the family was a professional musician, he had once dreamed of performing on stage himself.
Looking ahead, Nene said she hopes to write and perform her own music and become an internationally recognised artist, citing Thai stars Lisa and MILLI among her inspirations.
Narong said the family is already preparing to release several original rock songs written by Nene.
He added that the response following the broadcast had exceeded all expectations, with her social media following increasing rapidly within minutes of the audition being aired.
“Getting four ‘Yes’ votes is only the first step,” he said. “But it is an important step that shows a Thai child’s dream can reach the world stage through determination and hard work.”