A chance encounter between Danish visitor Strit Bram and a young street musician in Phuket developed into a lasting friendship. Years later, Nene Royal has taken a vintage guitar given to her by Bram onto the America’s Got Talent stage – and has now secured a place in the final.
Thai teenage guitarist and singer Nene Royal has gone from performing at markets in Phuket to becoming a finalist on America’s Got Talent – and there is a Danish connection behind her remarkable journey.
Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, received the Live Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B during the America’s Got Talent quarter-final on Tuesday 25 August after performing her version of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”. The Golden Buzzer sent the 16-year-old directly to the final.
Long before Nene reached an international television audience, however, Danish visitor Strit Bram had spotted her talent while watching the young musician perform in Phuket.
A friendship that started in Phuket
Nene began playing guitar as a child and developed much of her ability through self-directed practice and online videos. She later became a familiar performer at markets in Phuket, including Naka Weekend Market.
It was during her years performing locally that Bram encountered the young guitarist.
Instead of simply watching the performance and moving on, the Danish visitor stayed in contact with Nene and her family. Their relationship gradually developed into a close friendship, with Bram supporting the young musician with instruments and opportunities to gain further performing experience.
One of Bram’s early gifts was a Gear4music electric guitar and amplifier.
But in August 2024 she gave Nene an instrument that would later attract attention far beyond Phuket: a vintage Ibanez Musician MC300 dating from 1978.
The guitar that went to America
The Japanese-made Ibanez Musician series dates from a period highly regarded by collectors of vintage Japanese guitars. The MC300 has a neck-through construction and is known for its substantial build, sustain and wide range of tonal settings.
More importantly for Nene, the guitar became one of the instruments she regularly used when performing.
When she eventually appeared on America’s Got Talent, the vintage Ibanez travelled with her.
The connection has since attracted attention in Thailand, where reports about Nene’s success have also highlighted the story of the Danish woman who gave her the instrument.
Nene has many guitars, but the vintage Ibanez has acquired a particular significance because of the friendship behind it.
From Phuket to Copenhagen
Bram’s support was not limited to instruments.
She also helped Nene travel to Denmark, where the young Thai musician gained experience performing for audiences in Copenhagen.
At the age of 15, Nene played guitar and sang in public spaces in the Danish capital, performing songs including Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “I Will Survive”.
After performing, she would introduce herself as an artist from Thailand and invite travellers to see her perform at Naka Market when visiting Phuket.
For a teenager accustomed to playing at local markets in southern Thailand, the Copenhagen performances provided another opportunity to perform in front of an international audience.
From market performer to international stage
By the time Nene reached America’s Got Talent, she had already built a substantial following.
Her first AGT appearance brought her international attention when she performed “Zombie” by The Cranberries and received four yeses from the judges.
She subsequently performed Muse’s “Hysteria” during the Judges’ Callbacks and earned a place in the live shows.
On 25 August, she returned for the live quarter-final with “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden. Her performance prompted Mel B to press the Live Golden Buzzer, sending Nene directly to the Season 21 final.
It is a remarkable progression for a musician who developed much of her stage experience playing for shoppers and tourists at markets in Phuket.
And behind the international success is also a smaller Scandinavian story: a Danish visitor who stopped to listen to a young Thai musician, recognised her potential and decided to stay in touch.
What began as a chance encounter in Phuket developed into a friendship spanning Thailand and Denmark – and a vintage guitar given as a gift of encouragement has now travelled with Nene all the way to one of the world’s biggest television talent shows.
Strit Bram has now promised Nene a new guitar:
