AGT Winner Nene Royal Joins Avenged Sevenfold in Singapore

Collaborative Performance at Singapore Indoor Stadium

On Tuesday, October 13, the recently crowned 2026 America's Got Talent winner, Nene Royal, made a significant appearance in the rock world by opening for Avenged Sevenfold. The 16-year-old musician from Phuket, Thailand, received the invitation to join the band's stop in Singapore shortly after her victory on the television competition was revealed. During the event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Royal showcased the skills that earned her national recognition, including her powerful vocals, scream, and "scintillating" guitar playing.

According to data from Setlist.fm, Royal’s opening set consisted of five songs, primarily focusing on rock covers she had previously performed during her time on the talent show. Her setlist included "Hysteria" by Muse, "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden, "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine, "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" by System of a Down, and "Zombie" by The Cranberries. While she is reportedly working on original music, these covers allowed her to demonstrate her range to the Singaporean audience.

The collaboration did not end with her opening set. As Avenged Sevenfold performed their 14-song headlining set, they called Royal back to the stage toward the end of their performance. She joined the band for two of their most well-known tracks, first appearing for "Bat Country" and subsequently staying on stage to play on "Unholy Confessions". Fan-shot video of these moments has been shared on YouTube by accounts including Tydli and Chris's Music.

Nene Royal's Journey to the AGT Championship

The summer leading up to the Singapore performance was a transformative period for the teen, who first started playing guitar at age 7. Royal’s journey on America's Got Talent began with a "head-turning" audition of **"Zombie"**, where her shy speaking demeanor contrasted with her intense musical delivery. This performance caught both the judges and the audience off guard, setting the stage for her progression through the competition.

She continued to impress during her call-back performance of "Hysteria" and secured a golden buzzer during the semifinals with her rendition of "Black Hole Sun". For her final performance, Royal delivered a unique arrangement of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army". The performance began with a "haunting recitation" of the opening lyrics and "pin-drop intimacy" before transitioning into a "blistering, rocked-up moment" that highlighted her guitar-playing and vocal abilities.

During the season finale, Royal remained in the competition until the final cut, where she stood as one of the last two competitors alongside magician Geno Ploeger. Upon being named the winner, she was showered with golden confetti and offered her thanks and gratitude as the credits rolled. Throughout her run on the show, she also had the opportunity to play with established acts such as The Warning and Linkin Park, fulfilling her stated dreams of living the life of a rock star.

Artist Context and Future Tour Dates

While Royal is just beginning her career in the music industry, Avenged Sevenfold is well-established as a major act in the Metal, Hard Rock, and Metalcore genres. Originally formed in 1999, the group is currently rounding out the month of October with tour dates in Australia. They have also already booked their first South American festival appearance for 2027. Fans can find ticketing information through the official Avenged Sevenfold website.

The year 2026 also marks a decade since the release of several prominent rock and metal favorites from 2016. As Royal moves forward from her television victory, she continues to transition into the professional music world, having already shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry. Her recent performance in Singapore serves as a milestone in her rapid adjustment from a talent competition contestant to a touring rock performer.