For years, Richard Goodall was known as a school janitor in Terre Haute, Indiana. Students and teachers also knew him as someone who loved to sing. In 2024, he finally stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage and showed the country what he could do.
A School Janitor With a Love for Singing
Goodall had worked as a janitor for more than two decades. During his years working in schools, he often sang for students.
In 2022, he performed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” at a school event. A video of that performance spread online and eventually helped bring attention to his singing ability.
Goodall had actually tried America’s Got Talent once before, in 2009, but his journey ended during the open auditions. Fifteen years later, he decided to try again.
His AGT Audition Changed Everything
When Goodall walked onto the AGT stage for Season 19, he introduced himself as a school janitor from Indiana.
He chose Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin’” for his audition.
Then he started singing.
The reaction was immediate. His powerful voice surprised the judges and audience, and the performance received a standing ovation.
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum were all impressed by the performance.
Then came the moment Goodall had dreamed about.
Heidi Klum Hits the Golden Buzzer
Heidi Klum gave Richard Goodall her Golden Buzzer.
That sent him directly into the live shows and instantly made his audition one of the most memorable moments of the season.
For someone who had spent years working quietly in school hallways, the sudden attention was an extraordinary change.
But Goodall’s journey was far from over.
The Singing Janitor Keeps Performing
During the competition, Goodall continued to showcase his voice.
He performed Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” dedicating the song to his fiancée, Angie.
He later performed Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Journey’s “Faithfully” during the competition.
Each performance continued the story that began with his Golden Buzzer audition.
From Janitor to AGT Champion
Richard Goodall eventually reached the Season 19 finale.
On September 24, 2024, he was announced as the winner of America’s Got Talent Season 19.
He won the $1 million grand prize and a new Kia EV9.
The finale also created a full-circle moment when Goodall performed “Don’t Stop Believin’” with Neal Schon and members of Journey.
The song that helped introduce the school janitor to the world had now brought him together with members of the band behind the original hit.
Final Thoughts
Richard Goodall’s story is a remarkable example of an unexpected talent getting a chance to step into the spotlight.
He entered AGT as a school janitor with a dream of singing. He received Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, continued through the competition and ultimately became the Season 19 champion.
His journey began with a song in a school hallway — and ended with him standing on the AGT stage as a winner.
