PHUKET, Thailand — An emotional reunion took place at Phuket International Airport on September 27 as Nene Royal, the Phuket-born singer who recently won America’s Got Talent 2026, embraced her 89-year-old grandmother after returning to Thailand. Nene Royal, whose real name is Praew Rattikarn Amloy, was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters, fans and members of the media following her historic victory on the international talent show.
Among those waiting at the airport was her grandmother, Kaew Poolkerd, 89, who had travelled from Cha-uad district in Nakhon Si Thammarat to Phuket to welcome her granddaughter home.
When the two finally met, Nene immediately hugged her grandmother, creating an emotional moment after they had been apart for an extended period.
Kaew said she had missed her granddaughter greatly and was extremely happy and proud to see her return home as the winner of America’s Got Talent 2026. She said the moment she most wanted was to embrace Nene after following the competition and supporting her from afar.
The reunion also fulfilled a promise made by Kaew before the competition. She had pledged that if Nene won the top prize on America’s Got Talent, she would invite a Manora traditional dance troupe to perform at her home in Cha-uad district as a thanksgiving offering. Following Nene’s victory, Kaew said she has already contacted a Manora troupe and plans to hold the performance early next year to celebrate her granddaughter’s international achievement.
