In a true rags-to-riches story, singing janitor Richard Goodall won the season finale of Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24.
Host Terry Crews called it “one of the best seasons I can remember” and introduced the two finalists, Goodall and dance team Roni Sagi and Rhythm, before announcing that Goodall was the winner of the $1 million grand prize.
After he was declared the winner, streamers streamed from the rafters onto the stage as the audience cheered and judge Heidi Klum rushed onstage to hug Goodall.
When asked how he felt after his win, Goodall referenced previous comments from judge Simon Cowell about how quickly a person’s fortunes can change.
“Simon (Cowell) says two minutes can change your life. My life changed and I did it,” he said.
“I’m so happy for you, Richard!” Klum cheered. “I’m so happy! I love you. Thank you, America.”
Goodall, from Terre Haute, Indiana, has been a favorite since his first appearance on the show and received the Golden Buzzer from Klum in the May 28 episode after singing a cover of the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which he also got to perform again with members of the band in the finale.
Goodall also capitalized on his recent fame – he was flown to California for his appearance on the show and was on a plane for the first time.
“Oh my God, guys. I’ve never been on a plane before,” he said after receiving the Golden Buzzer. “I didn’t plan on coming to California. It’s just a dream come true.”
As the season progressed, it became clear to the judges that Goodall was a force to be reckoned with.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with you, Richard, but I just have a really, really soft spot for you in my heart,” Klum told him after singing Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” on the August 13 episode.
“And if you can do it, you really have a chance of winning the whole competition,” Cowell told him.
Goodall still can’t believe he won.
“I went into the audition on a whim,” he told People. “I’d never been on a plane before, had never been west of Missouri, and I just wanted to fly there, sing a song, fly back home, and maybe tell somebody I was on the show and make a little YouTube video like everyone else. I never dreamed of doing that.”
Winning the show is perhaps the second biggest event of the week for Goodall. At the finale, he announced that he had gotten married.
“She’s the love of my life. I love her so much,” he said of his new bride after singing “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
As for that turbulent week, Goodall is still trying to make sense of it all.
“My brain is just mush at this point. Surreal isn’t even what happened,” he told People. “It was an absolute rollercoaster and now it’s over and there’s absolute gold dust flying everywhere.”
When it comes to winning “America’s Got Talent,” Goodall says it’s an unmatched accomplishment. “There are bucket lists and then there are bucket lists that are at the top of the shelf,” he said. “You didn’t even know it was up there on the shelf. This is absolutely, a bucket list item that I couldn’t even think about or even dream about.”
