Season 19 of America’s Got Talent has come to an end and the competition in the live finals was tougher than ever. This season’s acts have pushed the boundaries of the imaginable and sometimes physics to provide some truly amazing entertainment.
The top 10 acts took the stage one final time on September 17, 2024, to win votes and their chance at the $1 million prize. The lineup was diverse and included death-defying acrobats, magic tricks, stand-up comedy, a dancing dog and a drone show. On paper, an unassuming 55-year-old elementary school janitor might be odd company, but Richard Goodall has a hidden talent that carried him to the finish line and earned him the season’s win.
Goodall lights up an elementary school in Terre Haute, Indiana, by singing in the hallways while cleaning. Students told him often enough that he was talented that he finally believed them, and he hopped on a plane to AGT. Since then, he’s been on a rocket ride. Goodall finished the first series of auditions with an incredible rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” When he finished, Simon Cowell said, “I think America is going to love you,” and he was right.
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After earning a Golden Buzzer, Goodall returned with performances of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and “Eye of the Tiger” from Survivor, with each song bringing him one step closer to the finale.
Richard Goodall sings “Faithfully” by Journey at the live finale
Before his performance in the final, Goodall received video messages from well-wishers.
“I hope I don’t have to find a new janitor, but if I do, Richard, that means you’ve won it all,” the principal said. Similar messages from students and family members accompanied a school poster that read, “Good luck sweeping the competition.” Goodall also heard from Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who had an exciting announcement.
“Richard, this is Neal from Journey. I loved your audition, man, and I have a surprise for you. I’m coming to perform with you in the finale. I’ll see you soon,” Schon said.
Fittingly, Goodall performed his second Journey song of the season, belting out a heart-wrenching rendition of “Faithfully.” The combined power of Goodall’s voice and the accompanying backing band brought the entire crowd to their feet, flashlights and smartphones lighting up the room. Even after the final notes rang out, the cheering crowd was so loud that the judges could barely be heard.
“TLuckily, it’s a song I’ve been singing to Ang for a very, very long time,” said Goodall NBC Insider. “I started Journey, I wanted to finish the competition with Journey. And then I didn’t know that I would be a big footnote at the end of the book… Phenomenal.”
What did the judges say about Richard Goodall’s Finals Act?
“Richard, I can feel the energy behind me. Honestly, from the moment you appeared on this show, you never crumbled. You didn’t, you rose from the dead. We all need a hero right now, and you are our hero,” Cowell said, echoing his earlier sentiments.
Howie Mandel went even further and said, “I’m going to make a prediction now. I think you just sang yourself a million dollars.”
Watch past episodes of America’s Got Talent on Peacock.
