Maya Neelakantan blew the judges and audience members away on Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent. The alternative metal rock guitarist from India performed an electrifying version of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.” Neelakantan was only 10 years old at the time of the performance – she has since turned 11.
She opened up her guitar solo with a few seconds of traditional Indian music before switching things up with the nu metal band’s greatest hit. The audience quickly rose to their feet, clapping along to her blistering runs.
Judge Simon Cowell was quick to give her kudos for her technical skills.
“I was about your age when I tried to learn the guitar,” Cowell said. “It is one of the most difficult instruments in the world. So I gave up. No actually my teacher gave up on me.”
He continued to break down what he loved about Neelakantan’s audition.
“We just weren’t expecting this,” he explained. “You were so shy, and you’re 10, and then you turned into this rock goddess.”
After receiving her standing ovation from the entire audience and all four judges, Howie Mandel had to revisit how old the guitarist actually was.
“Are you sure you’re only 10 years old?” he asked her.
“I think so,” she smiled in reply.
Sofia Vergara chimed in: “Your energy, your confidence, a perfect audition.”
Mandel asked the young prodigy who her inspirations were. Neelakantan said, “One is Adam Jones from Tool. Also, Gary Holt, who is the guitarist of Exodus and Slayer.”
Neelakantan can be seen below playing her rendition of “7empest” by Tool, a video which has amassed over 96 thousand views.
The alternative-metal-enthusiast has been performing online since 7-years-old. Since then she has met many of her nu metal heroes, including Jones, Holt, Danny Carey, Eric Peterson, and more. For her AGT audition, Neelakantan stayed true to her artistic roots and played on the guitar gifted to her by Jones in 2022.
Below Neelakantan can be seen paying her homage to Tool as well as showing off her riffs in this Tool mashup, combining 15 of their songs into one.
As Cowell put it, Neelakantan “made noise amongst the noise,” and viewers from all over the world can’t wait to see her next performance.
News
SUITE SURPRISE Bachelorette fans think Jenn Tran slipped up and revealed ‘secret fling’ with Pete Davidson after Devin’s Fantasy Suite
Plus, Bachelorette fans rage over yet another schedule change ahead of the finale BACHELORETTE fans have been convinced Jenn Tran and Pete Davidson had a secret fling after Monday’s Fantasy Suite episode. During the show, Jenn and finalist Devin, a…
DEEP WOUND Mariah Carey admitted it was ‘safer’ to have no contact with her brother and sister before Alison’s tragic death
Alison Carey, 63, died on the same day as Mariah’s mother Patricia, 87, the singer confirmed MARIAH Carey reflected on her complicated relationships with her siblings years before sister Alison Carey’s tragic death. On Monday, Mariah, 55, announced that her mother Patricia Carey,…
MARIAH’S PAIN From being offered cocaine & ‘pimped out’ by sister aged 12 to sick arson attacks – Mariah Carey’s traumatic family life
The star hit rock bottom in 2001, saying she was ‘broken down by the very people who were supposed to keep me whole’ WHEN Mariah Carey’s mom and sister both died this weekend the pop legend had to be careful…
MOVING ON Ben Affleck looks happier than ever during fast food run after he was spotted with Kick Kennedy following split from JLo
BEN Affleck has been spotted showing off his smile during an outing after his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. The actor stopped for fast food in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday. 6 Ben Affleck smiling ear to ear while ordering fast…
SUPER BUMP Nicki Minaj shares pregnancy photos in new Gag City Reloaded album announcement leaving fans confused
And why some fans weren’t too thrilled to see Nicki posing with her husband NICKI Minaj has been promoting the upcoming release of her Pink Friday 2: Gag City Reloaded deluxe album with a mix of current and former pregnancy photos. The…
IT’S A WASH Channing Tatum slammed for his ‘disgusting’ and ‘wasteful’ laundry habit in failed ‘attempt to seem relatable’
Fans recently expressed concern for Channing after he shared several bizarre selfies online CHANNING Tatum has been slammed for his wasteful laundry habit in what critics have called a failed attempt to seem relatable. The Don’t Blink star opened up…
End of content
No more pages to load