Sixteen-year-old singer and guitarist Nene Royal has won Season 21 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, becoming the latest champion of the long-running talent competition and taking home the show’s $1 million grand prize.

Royal, who is from Phuket, Thailand, was announced as the winner during the live results finale Wednesday, September 23rd, after 10 finalists competed for viewers’ votes. Magician Geno Ploeger finished in second place, followed by magic group Hundred Fingers in third, light-up dance act Royal Lasers in fourth and aerialist Veronika Goroshkova in fifth.

The victory caps a rapid rise for Royal, who became one of the season's most prominent contestants after her audition performance of The Cranberries' “Zombie” generated widespread attention online. The official America’s Got Talent video of the audition has accumulated millions of views on YouTube.

Royal subsequently returned for the season's new Judges’ Callbacks round, where she performed Muse's “Hysteria.” Her combination of vocals and guitar playing earned her a place in the live shows.

Her breakthrough came during the live quarterfinals, when she performed Soundgarden's “Black Hole Sun.” Judge Mel B awarded Royal a Live Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the finale.

For the first night of the two-part finale, Royal performed a heavily reworked version of The White Stripes' “Seven Nation Army.” She incorporated a prominent guitar solo and received a standing ovation from the audience. The performance drew enthusiastic responses from all four judges, including guest judge KSI, who called it “out of this world.”

Howie Mandel, who had supported Royal throughout the competition, described her as “the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage.” Mel B praised the teenager's distinctive style, while Sofía Vergara said Royal was unlike other performers competing today.

Royal then appeared alongside Linkin Park during the results finale, giving the young musician an opportunity to perform with one of the world's best-known rock bands. Other guest performers during the finale included Josh Groban, Steve Aoki, Lele Pons, REI AMI, Trisha Paytas, Taylen Biggs, Chloe Flower, Mat Franco and America’s Got Talent Season 20 winner Jessica Sanchez.

Royal's success on America’s Got Talent follows years of performing and developing her skills in Thailand.

She began learning guitar as a child and largely taught herself through online videos and learning songs by ear. Before appearing on NBC's competition, she performed at markets in Phuket and was already building an audience through social media and local music competitions.

Royal has also competed in Thailand's Overdrive Guitar Contest, where she finished as a runner-up, and received an Outstanding Player award at the King Power Band Competition. She appeared on the Thai television program Super 10 and is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the young Phuket rock band OZONE.

Her AGT audition came in July, shortly after her 16th birthday. She told the judges that her dream was to become a global touring musician before launching into “Zombie,” earning four yes votes and a standing ovation.

The performance established a pattern that continued throughout her run: Royal used well-known rock songs as a foundation while incorporating her own vocal style, guitar work and arrangements.

Her progression also made her one of the show's international success stories. Thailand's government public-relations department highlighted her Golden Buzzer performance in August, noting that the young musician had advanced directly to the finale after Mel B's decision.

Royal's victory came during a season in which longtime judge Simon Cowell was absent from the live finale.

Cowell missed the two-night finale while recovering from back surgery. KSI, the British musician and digital creator, joined Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara as a guest judge for the finale. Terry Crews hosted the competition.

The 10 finalists who competed for the Season 21 title were Acro Canine Crew, Come Here, Geno Ploeger, Hundred Fingers, Lai Noelle, Nene Royal, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Unitree and Veronika Goroshkova.

Five acts were eliminated during the results show before the final rankings were announced. The final five were Royal, Ploeger, Hundred Fingers, Royal Lasers and Goroshkova.

With the public vote complete, Royal emerged at the top of the field and became the Season 21 champion.

For the teenager from Phuket, the victory represents the culmination of a season that began with a guitar, a cover of “Zombie” and an ambition to become a touring rock star.

Now, with a $1 million prize and an international audience behind her, Royal leaves America’s Got Talent as one of the show's newest champions.