Richard Goodall, 55, is the latest winner of America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 19. The Indiana janitor sang his way through the finals to win the $1 million cash prize. Goodall took the trophy home after weeks of intense competition. He also beat nine other finalists to clinch the award. Goodall performed with members of one of his favorite bands to seal the deal.
Richard Goodall Wins AGT Season 19
The final week of AGT Season 19 ended on a great note. Not only did it showcase America’s talents, but it also changed one man’s life for the better. For America’s beloved singer Richard Goodall, it would forever be a time to remember. Not only did he win the show, but he also got married to his fiancee. Goodall, the singing janitor from Terre Haute, Indiana, won the season on September 24, 2024.
“My brain is just absolutely mush at this point. Surreal doesn’t even cover what has happened,” Goodall told PEOPLE. “This has been an absolute rollercoaster and now it has ended with absolute golden dust flying everywhere.” He continued, “There’s bucket lists and then there’s top-shelf bucket lists. You didn’t even know it was up there on top of the shelf. This is absolutely, a bucket list [item] that I couldn’t even [think] of or dreamed.”
Richard Goodall Won a Golden Buzzer
Richard Goodall won the hearts of many the minute he sang his first note during the audition. His shy demeanor endeared him to the audience and judges, but his voice moved them to tears. The AGT winner sang Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin, which was voted the biggest song of all time. His performance wowed the audience and judges, particularly Heidi Klum, who gave him a golden buzzer. Simon Cowell called Goodall a “hero,” while Sofia Vergara and Howie Mendel lauded him.
Richard Goodall revealed after his audition that performing on stage was a “dream come true.” He said he had never been on a plane. Goodall also revealed after the finale that he didn’t imagine he was going to win. He only planned to audition, go home, and tell people, “I was on the show, and have a little YouTube video like everyone else.” However, the janitor knocked out other finalists, Jonasi, Rhythm and Roni, Kardinaly, and Sky Elements, and won AGT Season 19.
Richard Goodall Will Still Be A Janitor
Richard Goodall disclosed that he will return to being a janitor at Chauncey Rose Middle School. However, he shared that it would only be for a while. In the meantime, he and his newly wedded wife, Angie, will evaluate the open opportunities. The AGT Season 19 winner said he looks average and is not “fancy.” Hence, it was an honor that everyone “gravitated” toward him and to be the “people’s choice.”
Goodall also spoke about how it felt to be famous. When a guard stopped him at Ralphs, he feared he had done something wrong. However, the security guard recognized Goodall from the show and wanted to greet him. The AGT winner was also sure that the students and his community were “extremely proud” of him. He disclosed during the audition that the students had prompted him to audition. Goodall always sang while cleaning the school where he was a janitor for 23 years.
Richard Goodall Wants To Invest His Money
Regarding the prize money, Goodall and Angie plan to invest some and buy a house. He joked that the first thing Angie said when he told her the news was, “‘I’m getting my house… and a washer dryer!'” The AGT Season 19 winner revealed that his win “means everything” to him and Angie. Goodall tied the knot with his wife the week before the finals. They had been together for some time but only made it official then. The janitor shared how important Angie is to him and that he made it through because of her.
He sang another of Journey’s songs, Faithfully, during the finals and dedicated it to Angie. He told NBC he has been singing it to her for a “very, very long time.” Meanwhile, Goodall’s dream of starting and closing his six-month run on AGT with Journey came true. He got the chance to end the finale with a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin.” Besides joining the list of AGT winners, he also got to sing with members of one of his favorite bands, Journey, after impressing them with his viral audition performance.
Conclusion
Performing on and winning AGT Season 19 has been a dream come true for Goodall. Meanwhile, his inspiring story has made him a hero for everyone willing to keep believing. Hopefully, Goodall’s life will continue to be full of amazing dreams turned into reality.
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