The journey to this point has taken months. Back in May, we learned the West Vigo Middle School janitor was about to make an appearance as a contestant on AGT. It was all thanks to a Tik Tok video of him singing to students.
“She come up with the kindergarten teachers and they said that it was at 100,000 thousand views and I said is that good and she said that she didn’t even have 1,000 followers. By the end of that weekend, it was a million,” Richard Goodall explained.
What Goodall could not tell us back then, was that he’d received a golden buzzer from AGT judge Heidi Klum. It sent him straight to the quarter-final round.
After succeeding in the quarter-finals, Goodall came home to a welcome back rally at the school he’d cleaned for many years. He spoke to students and staff sharing an inspiring message.
“You can achieve anything you want at any age and it don’t matter what you look like. It don’t matter what color your hair is, what color your eyes are. If you just keep going and perfect what you do, where you’re at eventually at some point, someone is going to notice,” said Goodall.
It was then back to AGT’s semi-finals and onto the finale where he was much loved by the judges.
“He was a hero genuinely. He’s like the man who stood up for every underdog out there,” said AGT judge Simon Cowell.
“He touches my heart, my soul and I just know he touched everyone else’s heart and soul at home too.”
He’s also loved by many people, but he says, he’s not letting the fame effect him.
“I’m gonna stay that humble person. No matter what I’m doing or where I’m at,” added Goodall.
Richard Goodall’s journey has been incredible and watch the moment his name was called for the $1 million prize below.
America’s Got Talent 2024 Finale Poll Results
We had a record number of responses to the finale poll and votes went overwhelmingly to singing janitor, Richard Goodall. It’s clear that the man has PEOPLE.
Richard Goodall – Singer – 69.57%
Roni Sagi & Rhythm – Dog act – 13.44%
Solange Kardinaly – Quick Change Act – 5.69%
Brent Street – Dance Group – 3.14%
Sky Elements – Drone act – 2.68%
Learnmore Jonasi – Comedian – 2.47%
Dee Dee Simon – Singer – 0.94%
AIRFOOTWORKS – Dance group – 0.94%
Hakuna Matata Acrobats – 0.74%
Sebastian & Sonia – Aerial act – 0.40%
Richard Goodall Is the People’s Choice on ‘AGT’
Before Richard Goodall, Terra Haute, Indiana was known for Larry Bird, who has his own museum in the town. Now Terra Haute has the winner of America’s Got Talent! He knows the kids at his school he works out and the entire community is immensely proud of him. The singing janitor was something new for Terra Haute to celebrate. He said the community is “extremely proud” of his rise to stardom.
What’s Next for Richard Goodall?
It’s one thing to be able to share your talent with the world. It’s another when you win a massive cash prize for your talent! Upon finishing his finale performance, Howie Mandel stated that Goodall sang himself to $1 million. Has it sunk in? “No, it has not sunk in yet. But we, Ang and I, have sat down and talked, and we have a financial plan in place. We’re going to get us our house and washer and dryer, and but also invest some of the money and be smart about everything,” he admitted. “As far as a honeymoon? Richard reveals this was one of them.
So what’s the next big dream for Richard Goodall? He happily said, “Honestly, the sky’s the limit.” Richard Goodall has inspired so many people with his incredible journey on America’s Got Talent. Now, as the winner, this is his time to offer some advice to those, like him, who might be a bit shy to share their talent with the world. The moral of his story is, “Don’t stop believing.”
