In a stunning display of talent that defied expectations, 11-year-old Maya Neelakantan from Chennai, India, has taken America's Got Talent by storm. According to Juggernaut, this young guitar virtuoso left the judges and audience in awe with her powerful rendition of Papa Roach's ‘Last Resort.’
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Who Is Chennai Guitarist Maya Neelakantan?
Juggernaut reports that Maya's musical journey began at the tender age of 5 when she first picked up a guitar. By 7, she had already started her own YouTube channel, showcasing her impressive heavy metal guitar skills to a growing online audience.
Just a year before her AGT appearance, Maya made waves in the music world with her cover of Tool's notoriously difficult 16-minute song, ‘7empest.’ As Juggernaut notes, her performance was so impressive that it caught the attention of Tool's lead guitarist, Adam Thomas Jones, who sent her a guitar in recognition of her talent.
Guitarist Maya Neelakantan Viral Video
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Maya's AGT audition left all four judges stunned. Simon Cowell, known for his brutal honesty, was particularly impressed. "You know what I love about this audition? We just weren't expecting this," he said, according to Juggernaut. "You were so shy, and...then you turned into this rock goddess."
Despite her young age, Maya has big plans for her future in music. "My journey has just begun. My dream is to one day combine all of my interests and create something that is totally unheard of!...I want to create a genre of my own," Maya explained.
Maya's talent hasn't gone unnoticed by the heavy metal community. Juggernaut reports that in March 2024, she received a gift from Gary Holt of Slayer and Exodus fame his signature guitar.
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Maya's AGT performance quickly went viral, garnering over a million views. Juggernaut highlights the reaction of industrialist Anand Mahindra, who tweeted, "Oh My God. Maya Neelakantan is only 10 years old. 10! Yes, Simon, she's a Rock Goddess. From the land of Goddesses."
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Oh My God
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 29, 2024
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 !@jaytweetshah@vgjairampic.twitter.com/sRNHPBondg
Maya's appearance on AGT wasn't just about her music. Social media users were quick to note how she challenged stereotypes. One user commented, "Dressed in a traditional Ghagra and shining bindi on her forehead, Neelakantan looked like anything but a typical rock musician with an Indian twist."
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