The audience of America’s Got Talent was in for a treat when 10-year-old Maya Neelakantan took the stage and delivered a jaw-dropping performance of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” on her guitar during her audition on Tuesday’s episode. Maya, hailing from India, has been making waves online with her exceptional guitar skills, even catching the attention of Tool’s Adam Jones, who gifted her one of his signature Gibson guitars. She showcased her talent on the national stage, playing the Jones guitar during her AGT performance.
All four judges were thoroughly impressed and voted to send Maya to the next round. Papa Roach themselves took to Instagram to rally their fans in support of Maya’s journey on AGT, writing, “P Roach fans let’s tap in on this tonight and help this girl get to the finals!”
Maya’s performance was nothing short of electrifying. As she strummed the opening chords of “Last Resort,” she smiled coyly at the crowd and judges, who were eager to see what she would do next. She soon began headbanging and fully displayed her impressive guitar skills, nailing the rock band’s beloved hit. The judges watched in awe, and the crowd erupted into a roaring applause as she completed the challenging rock solo. Backstage, Maya’s family stood beside host Terry Crews, cheering her on.
The judges were quick to express their admiration. Sofia Vergara asked Maya if she was really 10 years old, to which Maya sweetly replied, “I think so!” Vergara praised Maya’s energy and confidence, calling it a “perfect audition.” Howie Mandel inquired about her inspirations, and Maya mentioned that she looks up to guitarists like Adam Jones from Tool and Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer.
Heidi Klum was equally impressed, saying, “I think that you are absolutely incredible. Also that you are that gutsy. Everyone in this room really loved what you just did. You should be very, very proud of yourself.” Simon Cowell, known for his tough critiques, shared his own experience of trying to learn the guitar at around 10 years old, noting that it is “one of the most difficult instruments in the world” and that his teacher had given up on him. He loved that Maya’s audition was unexpected and that she transformed onstage, calling her a “rock goddess” and predicting a long career in music for her.
All four judges gave Maya a resounding “yes,” allowing her to move on to the next round. Fans in the comments section were equally enthusiastic, showering the young prodigy with praise. One fan wrote, “Wow a ten year old Instrumentalist. She is a rockstar already. She looks like an Indian Goddess, Brave and Beautiful.” Another commented, “I have seen some of the greatest rock guitarists live over the 50 years. You young lady will one day be among them! Rock on!!! The hall of fame awaits.” A third fan added, “10 years old and her personality is WOW! Genius! Genius! Genius!”
Even Papa Roach chimed in on the show’s Instagram post celebrating Maya’s audition, writing, “Let’s gooo!!🤘🪳 absolutely killed it Maya!” Maya, who has a YouTube page indicating she’s now actually 11 years old, also reacted to the overwhelming support. She expressed her gratitude in the comments, saying, “Wow!! What an honor for this early release and also what an honor that I got to play for the first time on stage and it’s on America’s Got Talent!” She added, “Thank you for creating an unforgettable memory for me!!” with a smiley face, heart, and “rock on” emoji.
Maya’s journey on America’s Got Talent is just beginning, and with the support of her fans and rock legends like Papa Roach, she’s well on her way to becoming a rock star in her own right. Her talent, confidence, and passion for music have already made her a standout contestant, and it will be exciting to see how far she goes in the competition.
Source: TODAY.com, ABC Audio
