Phuket Teen Wins America's Got Talent Season 21
Phuket teenager Nenew Royal, 16, won America's Got Talent Season 21 and the $1 million prize, planning to invest in her music career and launch a world concert tour.
Nenew Royal, a 16-year-old girl from Phuket, has successfully won the championship of America's Got Talent Season 21, claiming a prize of 1 million US dollars, or approximately 33 million baht.
After her final performance, Nenew shared her plans in an interview, saying she would use part of the prize money to advance her music career. She intends to buy a new guitar and create her own music, as songwriting is her passion. Most importantly, she dreams of launching a world concert tour.
Regarding the prize money, the show offers two payment options under US law:
1. Annuity Payout: The winner receives the full 1 million US dollars but divided into annual payments of 25,000 US dollars (approximately 830,000 baht) over 40 years, before income tax and other US taxes.
2. Lump Sum Payout: If the winner wants all the money immediately, it will be calculated at present cash value, resulting in approximately 300,000 to 430,000 US dollars (roughly 9.9 to 14.2 million baht) before taxes.
For foreign winners without US residency, an additional 30 percent withholding tax applies under IRS regulations, plus local taxes, significantly reducing the net amount received.
AGT champions also receive the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas, a major career opportunity in the global entertainment industry with substantial long-term value.
