Watch a 10-Year-Old Indian Guitarist Wows on America’s Got Talent
via Maya Neelakantan / YouTube
Meet Maya Neelakantan, a 10-year-old guitarist from Chennai, who has taken the world by storm. Her remarkable audition on ‘America’s Got Talent’ has gone viral, winning hearts everywhere with her unique mix of rock classics and Indian influences.
Stunning Audition and Instant Fame
During her audition, Maya played Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” and added some Carnatic music elements to it. She wore traditional Indian attire—a Ghagra skirt and a sparkling bindi—which made her stand out even more on stage. Her performance was so impressive that all four judges—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel—gave her a standing ovation after her 100-second performance.
Simon Cowell, known for his tough comments, was amazed by Maya’s transformation from a shy 10-year-old to a “rock goddess” on stage. He even talked about his own time learning the guitar. Howie Mandel predicted that Maya’s audition would become a hit on the internet, and Heidi Klum called her “gutsy and incredible.”
The video of Maya’s performance went viral quickly on social media. People everywhere couldn’t stop talking about her talent.
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Rising Star and Global Recognition
Maya Neelakantan is not new to getting attention for her music. Her parents help manage her YouTube channel, where she shares covers of rock and metal songs by artists like Tool, Metallica, and Slayer. Her cover of Tool’s “7empest” even got a nod from Adam Jones, Tool’s guitarist.
One special moment for Maya was when she got a gift from Gary Holt, another famous guitarist, during a visit to his home. Maya was so happy that she shared the experience on her social media accounts, calling it “the greatest day of her life.” She continues to wow her audience with her creative mashups and performances.
Maya’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed in India either. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, noticed her skills and invited her to perform at the Mahindra Blues Festival, an annual event in Mumbai that celebrates blues music.
“Oh My God. Maya Neelakantan is only 10 years old. 10! Yes, Simon, she’s a Rock Goddess. From the land of Goddesses. We have to get her back here to do her stuff at the @mahindrablues!,” Anand Mahindra wrote.
Maya’s incredible talent and unique style are winning her fans all around the globe. With strong support from both family and famous musicians, her future looks very bright.
