The “America’s Got Talent” finale revealed its Season 21 champion, who admitted to USA TODAY that “my dream was to perform one time on ‘AGT.'” The singer counts Spice Girls star Mel B among her fans.
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“America’s Got Talent” has crowned a new winner!
After weeks of competition, the long-running NBC show named Nene Royal as its Season 21 winner. The 16-year-old singer from Phuket, Thailand, edged out magician Geno Ploeger to win the $1 million prize.
The Top 10 finalists were: Royal, Ploeger, Acro Canine Crew, Come Here Dance, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Veronika Goroshkova, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle and Unitree.
Roal, Ploeger, Royal Lasers, Hundred Fingers and Veronika Goroshkova were in the Top 5.
Judge Mel B finished the season with bragging rights as the one to hit her Golden Buzzer for Royal’s performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” in the quarterfinals.
“My dream was I just want to be on ‘AGT.’ If I didn’t get through, I’m [still] very happy because my dream was I just want to perform one time on ‘AGT,'” Royal told USA TODAY within an hour of stepping off the stage.
The avid fanbase she has earned through her journey is “overwhelming,” and she admitted that when crowds chant her name, “I don’t know what to do.”
When she gets home, she is eager to “create my own music.”
“My dream was that I really, really want to become a rockstar and go on some tours around the world,” Royal said.
Mel B: Golden Buzzer recipient Nene Royal caused fan ‘pandemonium’
“My driver picked her up from the airport, and it was pandemonium,” the Spice Girls alumna said. “And she’s so sweet and she’s so humble, and she’s just a lovely girl.”
But her excitement isn’t only reserved for the winner; Mel B believes the other contestants should also celebrate how far they’ve come.
“They’re living the American dream,” she said of the performers. “Even just to get through the first round or even the second round, they get seen by millions of people, so they’ve already made their point. They’ve been watched and adored by millions of people worldwide.”
Being a Top 5 finalist paid off for synchronized magicians Hundred Fingers, who were promised a gig in Las Vegas by judge Howie Mandel.
An upbeat Ploeger shared that as a runner-up, “I don’t feel like I lost.”
“I think a lot of people might look at it that way, but I’m so fortunate to be here at the finals,” he said. “Regardless of what had happened, I felt like I’d already won.”
Why Simon Cowell missed the ‘AGT’ live shows
During Simon Cowell’s nearly month-long absence, host Terry Crews felt that “we’ve got to do him proud.”
“We know he’s watching everything. This is his baby!” he said. “I want to know that he’s smiling right now and he’s like, ‘That was awesome.'”
“AGT” kicked off Season 21 back in June. After weeks of thrilling auditions and a brand new Judges’ Callback round, the live shows began in late August with judges pushing their Golden Buzzers for Royal, Hundred Fingers, singer Lai Noelle and robot act Unitree.
But the live shows were also marked by a significant absence: Cowell had to miss out on the remainder of the “AGT” season due to a routine back surgery. As he recovered at home, several stars filled his seat at the judges’ table including “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson, model/former “AGT” judge Heidi Klum and YouTuber KSI.
“He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed,” Crews explained during the Aug. 25 episode after pointing out that Cowell’s seat at the judge’s table was empty. “It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges desk very soon.”
Along with Crews, judges Mel B, Mandel and Sofía Vergara held down “AGT” for the remainder of the live shows and semifinals as mesmerizing magicians, thrilling dog acts, impressive singers and more performers took the stage. But in the end, only one winner could take home the prize.
Royal’s ascension to the throne comes a year after singer Jessica Sanchez was named the Season 20 winner. Sanchez, who was pregnant when she was crowned in 2025, returned for the Season 21 finale to team up with Lai Noelle for a performance of “Die On This Hill” And “Beggin.”
“America’s Got Talent” Season 21 is streaming on Peacock.
(This story has been updated to include new information and photos.)