Is ‘AGT’ Season 19 scripted? Fan-favorite guitarist Maya Neelakantan faces elimination in quarterfinals

'AGT' Season 19 fan-favorite Maya Neelakantan has been eliminated
UPDATED AUG 29, 2024
Maya Neelakantan is an 11-year-old guitarist from India (youtube/@agt)
Maya Neelakantan is an 11-year-old guitarist from India (youtube/@agt)

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: No reality show is as simple as it seems, and 'America's Got Talent' is no different. Previous auditioners have alleged that the show manipulates its outcomes, particularly during auditions, as per Distractify.

In 2012, a circus performer claimed on Live Journal that the audition process was "rigged" and that the audience was conditioned to react positively or negatively to certain contestants beforehand. This performer stated that the show contacted them every season to invite them to audition. Upon agreeing, they said their act was scripted by producers, and they rehearsed parts of it before the live audience and judges.

However, when they finally performed, they were booed off the stage, which they found strange considering the show's efforts to recruit them. The auditioner also wrote: "The contract states: 'The producers of America's Got Lawsuits reserve the right to determine the winner by any means they choose.'"

In the latest episode of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19, host Terry Crews revealed the results of the overnight voting. Kelsey Jane and The Reklaws were the first acts announced, and Kelsey secured enough votes to continue in the competition as one of the week's top five.

Soon after, Terry introduced the boy band Menudo and guitarist Maya Neelakantan, with Maya making it into the top five. On the other hand, Journeyy was selected over the Japanese dance crew Sabrina.  Then, he called out Jelly Boy the Clown and comedian Learnmore Jonasi, with Learnmore earning a place in the top five. Reid Wilson was announced as the last contestant to join the top five. 

By the end of the episode, Terry revealed which three acts would advance to the semi-finals, with Reid, Kelsey, and Learnmore making the cut. Meanwhile, fan-favorite Maya Neelakantan faced elimination during the Quarterfinals and the viewers expressed their disappointment online.

An X user wrote, "Maya should have gone through. Dee Dee and Learnmore make sense though."

Another user chimed in, "The comedian not deserving, Maya was robbed."

Followed by a third user who penned, "Where's Maya and music journey."

A fourth user said, "Maya should've made it to the semi-finals but only Americans can vote and they continue to vote for the same acts over and over again."

'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan (Instagram/mayaneelakantan)
'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan (Instagram/@mayaneelakantan)

'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan deserved a spot in the semifinals 

Maya Neelakantan, the talented guitarist from India truly deserved a spot in the 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 semifinals. Her skill and artistry on the guitar captivated both the judges and the audience, showcasing not only her technical abilities but also her unique musicality.

It’s clear that Maya brought something special to the stage, and her exclusion from the semifinals feels like a missed opportunity for the competition. Given her passion for music and the hard work she has put into honing her craft, it’s evident that she deserved a chance to continue showcasing her talents in the later rounds of the show.

'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan likes the genre of thrash metal (YouTube/AGT)
'AGT' Season 19 guitarist Maya Neelakantan likes the genre of thrash metal (youtube/@agt)

Are the winners of 'America's Got Talent' decided beforehand?

Claims about the later stages of the competition 'AGT' have decreased. This might be because the early rounds are more heavily produced, and as the producers become satisfied with the remaining acts, they allow the show to unfold more naturally, including live voting.

The issue of whether the show is completely manipulated is still uncertain. It may be produced similarly to other reality shows. While the accusation from the auditioner is troubling, it is just one claim from nearly ten years ago. In the end, viewers at home probably care more about the entertainment value of the show rather than its authenticity.

'AGT' Season 19 returns with Sofia Vergara (Instagram/@agt)
'AGT' Season 19 returns with Sofia Vergara (Instagram/@agt)

Who got eliminated during 'AGT' Season 19 Quarterfinals 3?

Interested in finding out the names of the contestants who got eliminated during this round. The acts listed below did not receive sufficient votes to progress to the 'AGT' Season 19 Semifinal. Jelly Boy the Clown, Journey, Maya Neelakantan, Menudo, Sabrina, Sam Huang, and The Reklaws have been eliminated from the NBC show. 

Sabrina dance crew hails from Japan (Instagram/@sabrina.japan_official)
Sabrina dance crew hails from Japan (Instagram/@sabrina.japan_official)

'America's Got Talent' Season 19 airs on NBC on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 pm ET.

RELATED TOPICS AMERICA'S GOT TALENT (2006)

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Netflix is rebooting 'Star Search' with a live, interactive format and a trio of A-listers joining the judges' table for the iconic talent show's return
1 hour ago
'The Masked Singer' deviated from its two-seasons-per-year format in 2025 when it skipped the fall season
17 hours ago
Peacock launched 'The Traitors' official podcast with Boston Rob and Bob the Drag Queen to unpack every betrayal, banishment, and twist
23 hours ago
Old accusations resurface in the ‘Sister Wives 1-on-1’ trailer, proving the Browns’ emotional breakup is far from truly settled.
1 day ago
A subtle moment on 'Uncloaked' has sparked fresh theories about the identity of the 'Secret Traitor' hiding beneath the 'Red Cloak'
1 day ago
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18 launches with a high-stakes design challenge, a show-stealing guest judge, and fierce first impressions from 14 queens.
3 days ago
Netflix lifts the veil on Palm Beach’s most exclusive circles as ‘Members Only’ reveals the rules, rivalries, and secrets of elite society.
7 days ago
'The Road' on CBS featured 12 new voices judged by country music stars Keith Urban and Blake Shelton
Dec 22, 2025
Celeb guests include Singer Zac Brown and YouTuber MrBeast, with Jeff Probst returning as the host
Dec 18, 2025
Season 49 of the survival reality show concluded with Savannah Louie winning the competition
Dec 18, 2025