“America’s Got Talent” might’ve just discovered the next “rock goddess” in the making — and she was only 10 years old at the time of her audition. On the June 25 episode of the NBC competition series, Maya Neelakantan — who traveled all the way from India for her audition — walked onto the stage with her guitar and began casually strumming the opening chords of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.” As she played, she coyly smiled at the crowd and judges, who waited to see what she did next.
She started headbanging before fully showing off her impressive skills on the guitar. She nailed the rock band’s beloved hit as the judges stared in awe. Backstage, Neelakantan’s family stood beside host Terry Crews and cheered her on.
The crowd erupted into a roaring applause as she completed the difficult rock solo. All four judges — Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel — also stood up and clapped for Neelakantan. “Maya, are you sure you’re 10 years old?” Vergara asked.
The preteen sweetly replied, “I think so!” Vergara complimented Neelakantan’s energy and confidence on the stage. She labeled it a “perfect audition.” Mandel asked Neelakantan to share some of her inspirations.
The rising star said some of her favorite guitarists that she watches on YouTube are Adam Jones from Tool and Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer. “I think that you are absolutely incredible,” Klum praised. “Also that you are that gutsy.
Everyone in this ro.
