‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Richard Goodall talks his journey and more

Six months ago, Richard Goodall, 55, a janitor in Terre Haute, Indiana, captured the attention of fans on TikTok with his soulful vocal talents. On Tuesday (September 24), Goodall was officially crowned America’s Got Talent Season 19.

“Being myself, being a janitor for 23 years and now singing on TV, singing with Journey. I mean, you can’t make that stuff up,” he told advertising billboard Speaking about his reaction to the finale, he performed on stage with the iconic rock band’s guitarist Neal Schon. He won trophies with other talented performers including dog and human dance duo Roni Sagi & Rhythm; magician Solange Kardinaly, sky elements, drone light show and more. “It’s so surreal. I can’t imagine what’s happening to me. I mean, there’s a bucket list, and there’s a bucket list that you didn’t even know existed.

From the moment she auditioned, Goodall won the hearts of Americans with her everyman demeanor and down-to-earth outlook on life. In addition to his lovable personality, judge Heidi Klum was so blown away by Goodall’s effortless vocal abilities that she gave him the coveted Golden Buzzer, launching him straight into live performance. “Every time I see her, she likes to hold my neck and tell me, ‘Well, you did a great job.’ She’s an amazing lady,” Goodall said of the model.

However, winning AGT It’s just the icing on the cake for an exciting week for Goodall, who also married his long-time love Angie before the finale. “It was long overdue. I proposed to her a long time ago and she had the ring and everything. We’re older and we don’t really need a piece of paper to prove we’re married,” he explained. “We all thought at the same time, now is the time to do it. We’re not videotaping or anything, just a cameraman. So, as far as the show goes, it’s not about getting votes or anything like that. It’s because we all think it’s time Really do it.

While Goodall is open to future musical opportunities, he said he’s focused on being “smart” with the $1 million prize and riding the wave of his incredible accomplishments. “[Angie and I] We’re already talking to financial advisers to make sure we’re being smart about all this,” he revealed. “We’re not just two kids who are flying by the seat of our pants. This popularity, this fame is new, but we want to be smart about it and whatever happens in the near future, we can work together as adults and as a couple. Decide and figure out what path we want to take.”

Today, Goodall remains an inspiration to dreamers around the world. “When you see me, I just scream like a normal person. You can see me standing at the bus stop or going to Ralph’s to pick up your groceries and pick out mine. I don’t look like anything extraordinary. or someone like a supermodel,” he said, before concluding with these words of wisdom: “Nothing in this world is out of reach, but you have to work for it. If you want it bad enough, you have to Put in the time. The sky is the limit.