Paperboy hat-wearing Richard Goodall, the self-proclaimed “singing janitor” from Indiana who auditioned with a moving rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” that went viral, won the “AGT” competition Tuesday night.
The powerful vocalist, who won Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, defeated nine other finalists, including gravity-defying Tanzanian acrobats Hakuna Matata Acrobats, Zimbabwean stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi, and Japanese dance troupe AIRFOOTWORKS. As the night progressed, the competition was down to Goodall, the dog, and the Israeli duet Roni Sagi and Rhythm. Finally, Goodall lover Neal Schon joined the singing custodian on stage with the band Journey, completing the long-awaited duet. Of course, they had to sing the original song, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
During his time on “AGT,” Goodall won America’s votes with performances of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” and, lastly, Journey’s “Faithfully.” Simone Biles, the Gold Over America Tour, Michael Bublé, Steve Aoki, Gabriel Iglesias, and Andra Day made appearances leading up to the big reveal.
Klum, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and host Terry Crews were all pleased with Goodall’s triumph.”You’re such a fantastic man.”You’re incredibly humble and sweet. You’re also a little quiet, but not behind the microphone! Klum told Goodall during the last round.”Then you’re a big rockstar.”I want you to win this, Richard.” “You are our hero,” Cowell remarked, while Mandel bet on Goodall winning it all: “I believe you just sang yourself $1 million. “I think this is the winner.”
After the death of his wife, Richard Goodall found solace in music:
“AGT” was a new experience for Goodall, who had worked in the same western Indiana school district for 23 years and had never flown before to audition for the NBC competition show.
He grew up singing along to his RadioShack stereo and, in the 1990s, sang at karaoke evenings. He was a member of two gospel trios before the pandemic halted their activities. Then, in 2021, Goodall’s wife, Patty, died from cancer. A week before the finale, he married his fiancée, Angie Vanoven, with his “AGT” family in attendance. He revealed on Facebook that they are now Richard and Angela VanGoodall. “I don’t have any demands of winning the show,” he told reporters. “I’m going provide it my all, and I’m going to attempt to be the best competitor I can be.”
He said he intended to use the $1 million prize to purchase a double-wide trailer so that he could retire in a senior living community in Florida, complete with the occasional pasta and seafood feast. “I’m not a fancy person,” he admitted.
