At a recent audition for America’s Got Talent, everyone in attendance was captivated by 10-year-old Maya Neelakantan’s unique rendition of Papa Roach’s ‘Last Resort’, infused with traditional Carnatic elements. Hailing from India and renowned on Instagram for her metal covers, Neelakantan stunned the audience with her unconventional take on the rock classic.
Dressed in a traditional Ghagra and adorned with a shining bindi, Neelakantan defied the typical image of a rock musician, known for their denim or leather attire and darker colors. She seamlessly blended Classical Indian music with early 2000s American metal, impressively belting out the iconic riffs of ‘Last Resort’.
Judges Heidi Klum, Terry Crews, and Simon Cowell were visibly impressed, with the audience showing their enthusiasm through raised horns (\,,/). Neelakantan’s 100-second performance earned a standing ovation from all four judges. Responding to judge Sofia Vergara’s amazed query about her age, Neelakantan replied modestly, “I think so,” with a shy smile.
Simon Cowell dubbed her a ‘rock goddess,’ expressing surprise at her transformation during the audition. The viral clips of her performance have since garnered widespread attention on social media, even catching the eye of Papa Roach themselves.
Beyond America’s Got Talent, Neelakantan has gained fame for her metal and rock covers on platforms like Instagram, where she covers artists ranging from Tool to Metallica to Slayer. When asked about her inspirations, she cited Adam Jones of Tool and Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer.
Neelakantan’s passion for metal music also led her to meet Gary Holt, who gifted her a guitar from his collection during a memorable encounter at his home in March. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared Neelakantan’s video on X, praising her as a ‘Rock Goddess from the land of Goddesses’ and suggesting she perform at the prestigious Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai.
