Golden Buzzer winner Richard Goodall talks about America’s Got Talent
Watch Richard Goodall, a janitor at West Vigo County Middle School, talk about his experience on “America’s Got Talent” and what he would do if he won.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
“America’s Got Talent” has crowned its newest winner.
Newsboy-hat-wearing self-proclaimed “singing janitor” from Indiana, Richard Goodall, who performed an emotional rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” that went viral, took home the top prize at Tuesday night’s “AGT” finale.
The powerhouse singer, who won Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, beat out nine other finalists, including gravity-defying Tanzanian acrobats Hakuna Matata Acrobats, Zimbabwean stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi and Japanese dance troupe AIRFOOTWORKS.
Finally, the collaboration everyone was waiting for came when Goodall fan Neal Schon came on stage with the band Journey to accompany the singing guardian. Of course, they had to sing the song that started it all: “Don’t Stop Believin'”.
During his time on “AGT,” Goodall impressed Americans with performances of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” “Eye of the Tiger” from Survivor, and finally “Faithfully” by Journey.
The run-up to the big unveiling featured performances by history-making Olympic champion Simone Biles, as well as Gold Over America Tour stars Michael Bublé, Steve Aoki, Gabriel Iglesias and Andra Day.
Goodall’s victory was welcome news for Klum, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and host Terry Crews, who were impressed with the Hoosier from the start.
“You are such an incredible man. You are so humble, you are so kind. You are also a little quiet, but not when you are behind the microphone!” Klum said to Goodall during the final round. “Then you are a huge rock star! … I want you to win this so much, Richard.”
“You’re our hero,” Cowell said, while Mandel bet that Goodall would win it all: “I think you just sang yourself a million dollars. I think that’s the winner.”
“Music was the bridge” for Richard Goodall after the loss of his wife
For Goodall, “AGT” was like a fish out of water. She has worked in the same western Indiana school district for 23 years and was boarding a plane for the first time to audition for the NBC competition show.
He grew up singing along to his RadioShack stereo and performed at karaoke nights in the ’90s. He performed with two gospel trios until the pandemic shut down those ventures. Then Goodall’s wife, Patty, died of cancer in 2021.
“When you’re married for so long and the other person dies and you have that void, the biggest worry is figuring out who you are without them,” he told the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, in May. “And music was the bridge again.”
In 2022, Goodall first went viral with his rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin'” at his students’ graduation ceremony. Even former Journey frontman Steve Perry praised the performance.
“I don’t expect to win the show,” he said. “I’m going to do my best and try to be the best contestant I can be.”
He revealed that he plans to invest the $1 million in winnings in a double trailer so he can move to a retirement community in Florida and enjoy his retirement – with the occasional pasta and seafood meal. “I’m not a picky person,” he said.
Who were the finalists of “AGT” 2024?
The top 10 acts were:
- Roni Sagi & Rhythm (dancer and dancing dog)
- Sky Elements (Aerial Drones)
- Learn more Jonasi (stand-up comedian)
- Solange Kardinaly (Quick-change artist)
- Brent Street (dance group)
- Richard Goodall (singer)
- Hakuna Matata Acrobats (acrobatics group)
- AIRFOOTWORKS (dance group)
- Dee Dee Simon (singer)
- Sebastian and Sonia (aerial acrobats)
Contributor: Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star
