Both judges and viewers of America’s Got Talent warmly embraced singer Richard Goodall from the moment he first stepped onto the AGT stage and earned a Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum.
Even before host Terry Crews announced Goodall as AGT Season 19’s winner, the former “singing janitor” was already a champion. Not only was he the sentimental favorite throughout the season, but Goodall wed girlfriend Angie Vanoven the week leading up to the finale taping.
When it came to performing in tonight’s finale with rock band Journey, Goodall tells TV Insider, “There’s [stuff on your] bucket list and then, there’s ‘top shelf bucket lists.’ You can’t even remotely think that something like this was ever going to happen.”
Throughout the course of the season, Goodall, who performed soulful renditions of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” “Eye of the Tiger,” and “Faithfully,” never lost his humility or sense of gratitude. “I had no expectations [of winning],” he says. “I went into every single round that way.”
Goodall definitely wants his victory to herald the beginning of a new life. Understandably, he says specific plans are up in the air. “We’re just going to see what opportunities come our way,” he says. “[Angie and I] will sit down and figure out what the best route [is] for us. The sky is the limit.”
Longtime AGT judge Howie Mandel says that there were tons of talent throughout the season, but he feels America got it right by voting for Goodall. “We saw the best of everything this season,” Mandell says. “We saw the best dancing, the best magic…but Richard had that added value. He just made your heart burst.”
Goodall’s story is something out of a movie – an underdog taking a big swing in Hollywood and hitting a grand slam. “[But] this is not a movie,” Klum says. “This is real.”
Just as she did at his audition, Klum ran up on stage and congratulated Goodall after he was announced as the winner. “I told him I loved him and that he was so deserving,” Klum reveals as to what she said to the champion.
“I was over the moon when Heidi gave me the Golden Buzzer [at my audition],” Goodall recalls. “I was just going to fly out here, sing a song, and fly home. I never dreamed all this would happen.”
Vanowen had no problem with her groom and Klum embracing even though they’re still on their honeymoon. “If it hadn’t been for her… He can hug Heidi Klum,” Vanowen says with a smile. “I hugged Heidi!”
Not only will Vanowen be changing her surname, but, she says, so will her husband. “We’ve combined our last names,” she says. “Our new legal name will be ‘VanGoodall.’ We’ll be ‘Richard and Angela VanGoodall.’”
Goodall says he had a chance to chat with runner-up act Rhythm and Roni, a unique dog act comprised of Roni Sagi and her black-and-white border collie, Rhythm, after the show. “I hugged her and said, ‘Just don’t forget how amazing you are,’” Goodall says. “And she is amazing. The training it takes to have a dog do stuff like that is just amazing.”
Goodall has words of advice for people out there who believe that they have a talent and something to offer the world. “Don’t sell yourself short,” he says. “If you pursue a dream, pursue it to the end, you know? Don’t stop believing.”
News
Shocking Reactions! Community in Awe Over Richard Goodall’s AGT Triumph!
He did it. The singing janitor has won the hearts of America, and now he’s won the $1 million grand prize. Terre Haute native Richard Goodall may have won in California, but many think this a big win for the…
America’s Got Talent: Heidi Klum celebrates as her Golden Buzzer pick Richard Goodall snags $1 million prize
Middle school janitor Richard Goodall won season 19 of America’s Got Talent and the $1 million grand prize on Tuesday during a two-hour live finale on NBC. Richard, 55, was stunned as golden confetti fell around him and Heidi Klum, 51, who pressed…
America’s Got Talent Season 19 Winner Disclosed: What Will They Do with the Prize?
The winner tells all in an exit interview. Warning: This article contains spoilers about the finale of America’s Got Talent season 19. After countless impressive performances and millions of votes, America’s Got Talent viewers named singer Richard Goodall the winner of season 19. The…
Behind the Scenes of Richard Goodall’s Life: What the AGT Star Does Off the Stage!
Over the past few months, Terre Haute singing sensation Richard Goodall has spent a lot of time in Pasadena, CA as a contestant on America’s Got Talent. His days are often busy with things like rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, and various…
AGT 2024 Finale: Indiana’s ‘Singing Janitor’ Takes Home the Coveted Title!
“America’s Got Talent” has crowned its newest winner. Paperboy hat-donning Richard Goodall, the self-proclaimed “singing janitor” from Indiana who auditioned with an emotional rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” that went viral, took home the top prize during the “AGT” finale Tuesday night….
From Sweeping Hallways to Wowing America: How Janitor Richard Goodall Conquered AGT!
America’s Got Talent is about to reveal its Season 19 winner. Among the 10 final acts is Terre Haute singing janitor, Richard Goodall. He’s wowed the judges over the past several months and wowed viewers of the show to keep…
End of content
No more pages to load