Meet Maya Neelakantan: The Indian teen who impressed Simon Cowell at America's Got Talent

Who is Maya Neelakantan? In 2022, Maya Neelakantan garnered widespread attention with her cover of Tool's 16-minute epic 7empest. Her performance was so remarkable that Adam Jones, Tool¡¯s guitarist, sent her his signature Gibson guitar. This gesture highlighted her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.

America's Got Talent Debut

Meet Maya Neelakantan: The Indian teen who impressed Simon Cowell at America's Got Talent/IG

Recently, Maya, the Indian teen, took the stage on America's Got Talent (AGT) and impressed many. Her incredible skills and passion for music have made her a viral sensation. At just 10 years old, Maya's journey from a shy young girl to a confident rock star on stage is truly inspiring. Let's get into the story of Maya Neelakantan and what makes her a standout contestant on AGT.

Maya¡¯s Memorable Audition

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On a recent episode of AGT, Maya Neelakantan made her debut performance that no one saw coming. Initially, she appeared to be a very shy and reserved girl. However, she soon amazed the judges and the audience by playing an instrumental version of Papa Roach¡¯s "Last Resort."

Judges Were Impressed, Especially Cowell

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Judge Simon Cowell found Maya's performance especially impressive. He said, ¡°You know what I love about this audition, you just weren't expecting this. You were so shy, and you're 10! And then you turned into, like, this rock goddess.¡± Cowell also shared his own experience with learning the guitar, admitting, ¡°I gave up playing guitar, actually no my teacher gave up on me.¡±

He even called her a ¡°rock goddess.¡± Judge Howie Mandel also applauded Maya¡¯s performance, predicting that it could soon become a viral moment. Heidi Klum praised Maya as ¡°gutsy, incredible¡± and lauded her talent.

Maya¡¯s Musical Journey

Maya, originally from India, developed a love for music at a very young age. She has become proficient in playing the guitar and has demonstrated her talents on multiple stages. Her skill in performing complex pieces across different musical styles distinguishes her.

Maya is a versatile artist, able to play Indian classical Carnatic music, Tool songs, and thrash metal.

Her journey with music began at a very young age. From the time she was just five years old, she would dance around the house, strumming a toy guitar to heavy metal music. Her love for music intensified over the years, driving her to learn and excel at playing the guitar.

Maya¡¯s father mentioned in an interview that she put a lot of thought into her music beyond just playing the instrument.

Support From Musical Legends

Earlier in 2022, Maya impressed many with her cover of Tool¡¯s "7empest." Her performance was so impressive that Adam Jones, Tool¡¯s guitarist, sent her his signature Gibson guitar, the Adam Jones Les Paul Standard. In one of her YouTube videos, she shared this experience, calling it the biggest day of her life. More than getting the guitar, earning recognition from an icon like Jones was significant.

Since then, she has crafted mashups of Tool¡¯s songs with that guitar. Gary Holt, from Exodus and Slayer, has also supported Maya during her AGT audition. Maya shared on Instagram about the time she spent with Holt, further emphasising the support she has received from renowned musicians.

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