TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO) — The humble singing janitor with a golden voice won a million dollars and the hearts of a worldwide audience Tuesday night.
“I was standing there just waiting and they flipped it open and said my name. Wow! Confetti comes down. Magic,” Richard Goodall said as he held the card that AGT host Terry Cruz used to announce the winner.
Hearing his name has been a long time coming. Goodall started the audition process in the spring. It all came about after a Tik Tok video was posted of him singing to students at West Vigo. AGT judge Howie Mandell was among those who saw it.
“When I saw him, when he stepped on our stage, you felt the love that not only I had for him, but the hope he would win,” Howie Mandell said from AGT’s red carpet. “You just knew people at home would have the same magnetic need to vote.”
And vote people did. Viewers sent him to the top spot. Other judges were also won over by that same magnetic personality.
“He came so far in the competition. America fell in love with him. The real person. The real dream. His life is going to change after this,” said AGT Judge Sophia Vigara.
“Him singing on that stage, look just talking about it gives me goosebumps on top of goosebumps. It’s just beautiful. He sounds beautiful. You know, he’s just yummy,” added AGT judge Heidi Klum.
On the red carpet, Goodall thanked WTWO for being part of his journey.
“You guys have been with me through the whole journey. You all have been with me through the whole kit and caboodle,” said Goodall with a smile.
He also thanked people in the Wabash Valley for all of their support.
“Thank you Wabash Valley, Terre Haute, Indiana. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Goodall said as he lowered his head in an emotional moment.
Goodall added singing with the band “Journey” was a “top shelf” bucket list item.
As for his future plans, he talked about returning to his job as a school janitor for at least a little while. He also said he and his wife Angie would like to buy a house. While his roots run deep in Terre Haute, he said he may look at getting a house in Florida too, because he does not like the Indiana winters.
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