INDIANAPOLIS — Terre Haute native Richard Goodall, Indiana’s “signing janitor,” won Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent” taking home the $1 million top prize.
“Winning ‘AGT’ is important and means so much to me. Simon said two minutes can change your life. It has transformed mine, and I’d like to help others, one song at a time,” Goodall said after the show.
Goodall’s big break
Goodall, a custodian for Vigo County Schools, became a viral sensation after his rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” at a 2022 school talent show caught the attention of former Journey frontman Steve Perry and Mandel on TikTok.
“Howie, he posted me on his TikTok, and it said, ‘Needs to be on AGT,’” Goodall said.
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He became a bigger hit when he earned a Golden Buzzer from Klum in his audition for the show.
Quarterfinals
Goodall returned to Los Angeles for the live quarterfinals in August, where he sang Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?”
Semifinals
He then punched his ticket to the finals with his version of “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
Finals
Goodall performed “Faithfully” by Journey on Tuesday’s show, earning raucous applause from the judges and the live audience.
“You are such an amazing man. You’re so humble, you’re so kind,” Heidi Klum said during the finals. “I want you to win this so bad, Richard.”
“We all need a hero right now, and you are our hero,” Simon Cowell said.
“I will make a prediction right now: I think you just sang yourself $1 million,” Howie Mandel said.
California wedding
Hours after the finals, Goodall and his fiancée, Angie Vanoven, got married in California.
In his announcement post on Facebook, Goodall wrote, “As of 3 p.m. pacific time Angie and I are now Richard and Angela VanGoodall!”
