'AGT' Season 19: Watch astonished Simon Cowell dub Maya Neelakantan 'rock goddess' after her electrifying act
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: In Tuesday, June 25 episode of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19, Maya Neelakantan, an 11-year-old guitar prodigy from India, wowed viewers and judges alike with her electrifying rendition of 'Last Resort' by Papa Roach.
With skill and finesse far beyond her years, Maya effortlessly delivered intricate guitar solos that left everyone in the audience in awe. Her performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing her incredible talent and passion for music.
After her impressive performance, the judges showered the young singer with praise. Sofia Vergara marveled at the singer's talent and stage presence and said, “Are you sure you’re 10 years old? Your energy, your confidence–a perfect audition.”
Howie Mandel asked Maya what inspires her on social media, and she cited several guitarists from prominent heavy metal bands as her sources of inspiration.
“One is Adam Jones from Tool. And also Gary H who is the guitarist from Exodus and Slayer," Maya revealed. Howie commented that Maya might have just created a viral moment with her choices.
Heidi Klum said, "I think you are absolutely incredible. Everyone in this room really love what you just did. You should be very, very proud of yourself.”
Simon Cowell expressed his surprise and admiration for the audition, noting that he wasn't expecting it at all. He went on to praise Maya, describing her transformation into a "rock goddess" during the performance.
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'AGT' Season 19 judge Simon Cowell reveals he was Maya's age when he tried to learn guitar
Simon Cowell confessed that he was around the same age as Maya when he attempted to master the art of playing the guitar. “It is one of the most difficult instruments in the world, so I gave up! Actually, my teacher gave up on me!” Simon shared.
The 'AGT' judge continued, “We just weren’t expecting this. You were so shy and you’re 10 and then you turned into this rock goddess. This is…now the beginning of a career which I always say ‘make noise amongst the noise’ and you just did that.”
Who is Maya Neelakantan on 'AGT' Season 19?
Maya Neelakantan, a guitarist originally from India, garnered widespread recognition and admiration for her talent after showcasing a rendition of Tool's epic masterpiece, '7empest,' in the early months of 2022.
As a participant in 'America's Got Talen' Season 19, the young guitarist made a lasting impression on Adam Jones. Impressed by her performance, he gifted her his personally designed Gibson guitar, the Adam Jones Les Paul Standard.
Maya was thrilled to receive the gift and described the moment she opened it as the most significant day of her life. It's no surprise that she is making excellent use of the beautifully crafted six-string guitar.
She has created a mashup of 15 sections from different songs by Tool, showcasing her talent. The Les Paul Standard previously owned by Adam Jones is now in capable hands.
Maya's performance kicks off with the track 'Intension' from the group's 2006 album 10,000 Days, setting the tone for a night filled with covers of some of the band's biggest hits.
From the iconic 'Lateralus' released in 2001, to the powerful 'Vicarious' from 2006, and the more recent 'Descending' from 2019, Maya takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of the band's sound.
Other standout covers include 'Third Eye' from 1996, showcasing Maya's versatility and talent as a performer. With each song, Maya brings her unique style and interpretation, making each cover a memorable and captivating experience for the audience.
'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan likes the genre of thrash metal
From a five-year-old girl jamming out to heavy metal music, dancing around the house, and strumming her toy guitar, Maya has evolved into an eleven-year-old guitar prodigy. With a collection of five real guitars and a diverse taste in music, Maya has gained popularity on social media for her impressive skills and musical talent.
Maya, an 11-year-old guitarist, is showcasing her talents across diverse genres including Indian classical Carnatic music, songs by TOOL, and thrash metal. However, music holds a special place in her heart as she is a self-taught metal musician who is deeply passionate about her craft.
'America's Got Talent' Season 19 airs on NBC every Tuesday at 8 pm ET.