On the season finale for America's Got Talent, Linkin Park made their presence felt, performing their 2024 comeback single "The Emptiness Machine," with the season's success story and bonafide rock star-to-be Nene Royal joining on vocals and guitar. Guitarist and co-vocalist Mike Shinoda was more than happy to step aside and let Royal take center stage with Emily Armstrong, referring to the teen breakout as "incredible" when asked
The standing ovation that the band and Royal got was more than deserved, as Royal's and Armstrong's vocal performances were something to behold. Neither woman was afraid to get gritty with their respective voices, and seeing such on a big stage like AGT is all too important for heavy music.
Check out the performance below:
Nene Royal's road to winning season 21 of America's Got Talent was paved by her spirited performances along the way, which included Muse's "Hysteria," The Cranberries' "Zombie," Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," and The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army." Her performance of the Soundgarden classic even earned the seal of approval from frontman Chris Cornell's widow Vicky. Now, the Thai musician has more than earned her crown, making the golden buzzer that Mel B gave her worth it when the dust settled.
Congratulations to Nene on her win, and here's hoping she sticks around in the nu world for a bit. Either way, the kids are, in fact, alright.
America's Got Talent can be streamed on-demand on Peacock.
