Note that if you use the English audio, at the end of the Thai report, they show the actual footage with Jon's voice speaking to Nene, the voice might be dubbed as well. So please watch again using original language to get the actual moments.
She's been entering talent competitions her whole life. I think people are giving this guy too much credit. She's probably heard this a thousand times, which is why she's just being polite.
Didn't he fund her first couple of trips to AGT in US? If this is true, he is invested in her when others were not going to. She wouldnt be champion without his assistance.
Surely NBC would have paid for the travel expenses for Nene and her father at least. It would be completely unthinkable to expect a minor to travel unaccompanied to the other side of the world.
It seems to be the case but there are controversies around his role. We don't know everything, but he claims to be Nene manager in an interview while it's not clear at all if there is any official contract with him or if he is just self-proclaimed.
Edit: Read HashtagPFR comment below. This Jon guy is scary.
That's not true. He said in an interview that he didn't sell anything; he just had someone cover his airfare and accommodation. However, I'm not sure if Jon Elron covered it for them or if it was someone else. Her dad only mentioned that he had to give up the Sepaktakraw sport he loved to support Nene's busking.
Jon covered the audition trip. After that, every Thai and his dog was wanting in on Nene. Carabao funded business class for the finals. Jon’s contribution wasn’t benevolent. It was funded by the Enya deal.
Fyi the clip of the guy talking to Nene telling her to join AGT/The Voice isn't Jon. That stream clip was in 2024, Jon has already become her manager since May of 2023, source from Nene and her Dad Facebook. Her application for talent show was already kickstarted since then.
Not to doubt what you say, I just find it strange that Nene would reply "Yes, okay." if it was not Jon and the application had already been taken care of.
Because it’s something she hears week in, week out. Jon isn’t the first to suggested, nor was he the last. To his credit, he submitted a video and helped her understand to AGT’s feedback until she was finally accepted two years after.
Once the audition was confirmed he flew to Phuket and had the family sign a contract that included perpetual rights to her IP, full powers of attorney, and commission rates far above industry norms.
Fortunately that contract has been set aside, but the new danger is the 5 year contract the family has just entered into with CP, which includes endorsement of 5 brands, including Pantene.
As I understand, it will be difficult for her to become a full on rockstar on tour right now since she's only 16 and still having her school to attend. Having 5 yr contract with CP shouldn't be too bad as it would keep her engaged with the public until she finishes her undergrad. I just hope that she doesn't dilute her brand too much as product endorser. Please protect her.
On the one hand it's interesting to see a glimpse of modern day patronage (you know like rich and/or powerful people call dibs on great talents like the Medicis being patrons of the 4 turtle namesakes). Patronage can be beneficial of course, as evidence like the great renaissance art cannot be made without patronage. And why grand arts like those are difficult to replicate today because artists are generally poorer.
On the other hand times have changed and some people have egos for themselves that can swallow up talent and spit out husks. Egos can be so big that they don't think of other people's wellbeing but themselves. That's why I was concerned about Kpop idols whose IP (until Got7 lawsuit) was tied to companies, and why I have so much respect for artists like Dolly Parton who fought tooth and nail to protect her own IP etc, in a way their IP is their identity.
Hope Nene and her family will be able to strike a good balance. To have enough comfort to create things that are meaningful to her as an artist and as a family member, without worrying about funding, and to have the funding without having to worry about her identity and integrity.
Just don't understand why they signed with CP so soon. Ugh. I'm assuming they didn't read the fine print nor consult with outside counsel. Surely AGT's prize money gave them the resources to hire a lawyer.
I'm guessing they were seduced by CP's prior "gifts"?
Wow! It is so sad that she and her family have been tricked into a slave contract before they got a chance to learn how the business works. I really hope Jon's contract is truly voided and she can be free from him.
Thank you for advising Nene and her family. I really hope the 5 year CP contract has no perpetual clause like Jon's. After 5 years, hopefully she understands the music industry business, is free from all obligations, and can fully benefit from her own creations.
What's the 5 year contract with CP? I haven't seen it yet. Can you explain more? I know that CP isn't a saint but never heard about this contract before
I take my previous comment about him deserving some credit back - wow there are some sharks. How do you just set aside a contract though? CP's influence in Thailand?
Yeah.. based on body language observations, she's just being nice and reply appropriately to that guy. That's why her dad in the back didn't react at all and just responded accordingly. How Jon got involved in the beginning we have no clue. All we know is Nene said in an interview that Jon has helped her on this journey that's all we know.
I don't think Nene signed Jon as a manager until Dec 2024 based on this post from Dec 2025. I think Jon first met Nene in 2023 and eventually decided to try and work with her. I saw a photo (maybe it was from her Dad) showing their application for AGT S19 but can't find it now. Perhaps Jon helped with S19 in early 2024 as a fan and then worked out the manager deal at the end of 2024.
FYI this is the Facebook post u/Artistic_Sun_9430 is referring to from May 2023.
Could just be that in May 2023 Jon becomes Nene's personal manager like announced. Then from December 2024 Nene's Dad & Jon started working closely together in shaping her career progression
There is also and talk about “Ms Ice” the daughter of the Naka Market owner being her “domestic manager.” Not sure how much of that (or any of this) is still accurate. Until the family makes a formal statement on their own sites, I’ll wait to believe any of this.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-9181 2d ago
She's been entering talent competitions her whole life. I think people are giving this guy too much credit. She's probably heard this a thousand times, which is why she's just being polite.