DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'
Who is AGT star Richard Goodall? Indiana janitor gone Hollywood
The small-town janitor went viral for his jaw-dropping, emotional performance
RICHARD Goodall tried out for America's Got Talent back in 2009, but failed to make it past the first round of open auditions in Chicago.
The small-town Indiana janitor took another chance and auditioned for the show's 19th season, where his rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' received two standing ovations, unanimous support from the judges, and secured a Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum.
Who is AGT star Richard Goodall?
Richard Goodall was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana.
During the show's 19th season premiere, Goodall revealed that growing up, he would listen to music in his bedroom on his "Radio Shack stereo."
"I just belt it out," he said.
"Eventually, I was like, I got to find myself a job, so I became a janitor at Chauncey Rose Middle School, which is only three blocks away from my house.”
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"The kids would hear me sing, and they tell me that I've got talent," he explained.
"That's why I'm here. That's why I got on a plane," he told the judges.
The 55-year-old has been a janitor for 23 years, first at Chauncey Rose, and now at West Vigo Middle School.
Despite his seemingly overnight fame as a result of his America's Got Talent performance, this isn't the first time Goodall has achieved fame outside of his hometown.
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Back in the summer of 2022, he went viral for his performance at Davis Park Elementary School's year-end program, where he performed the same hit song – Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.
Journey's former frontman, Steve Perry, even gave Goodall a shoutout for his performance after stumbling across a now-viral TikTok video.
Goodall admitted to being nervous ahead of the America's Got Talent audition but revealed that hearing the opening notes of Journey helped calm him down.
America’s Got Talent judges return for Season 19 as Golden Buzzer twist revealed
“I went to my music,” he said, as reported by My Wabash Valley News.
“When I hear Journey, Foreigner, and Survivor music it centers me, calms me down, and lets me know that I am okay.”
In his spare time, Goodall plays in a band, titled ManOpause, with his friends.
Goodall's bandmate, Tom Greenberg, called him "the best of the best."
“I knew that was coming,” Greenberg said, as reported by My Wabash Valley News.
“He deserved it. He’s just so good and Journey, I mean you throw him on a Journey song and he’s just the best of the best. He’s just a perfect Journey singer.”
Goodall has already amassed a significant fan base, though his tried-and-true followers are his former students.
"I can't express with words how lucky I feel to be able to say that I am one of the kids who always told him how amazing his voice is," wrote one YouTube user.
"My favorite part of walking through the hallway of Elementary school is hearing this phenomenon," they wrote, alongside a red heart emoji.
"Richard, you are indeed a true hero," they added.
While the auditions were recorded earlier this year, Goodall is gearing up for the next round of performances later this summer.
He hasn't revealed who will be joining him in Hollywood, but it seems like he's in good hands, with the whole country rooting for his success.
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What did the America's Got Talent judges say about Richard's performance?
Richard Goodall received a standing ovation not just from the America's Got Talent live audience, but also from all four of the judges.
"Wow," Howie Mandel could be heard exclaiming in the background after Goodall's performance.
"That was amazing," Terry Crews shouted into the cameras.
The crowd began chanting Goodall's name, yelling "Richard, Richard, Richard," repeatedly before the judges made their official comments.
"Richard, you are my hero," said Simon Cowell, putting his hand against his chest.
"Because that was special, genuinely special," Cowell added, speaking to a visibly emotional Goodall.
"I think America is going to love you," Cowell said, nodding his head as the show's audience cheered in agreement.
"I mean that was spectacular, that was fun. This was an amazing surprise," Sofia Vergara said.
"I think you were perfect to come to AGT, because you made our night," she added.
"You, and maybe because you've been doing it for 23 years, but you just cleaned up, you know, you just...." Howie Mandel said, clearly at a loss for words.
"I would imagine that every kid that has ever been in a school with you is just screaming," Mandel continued.
"I just think you're amazing," he added.
"We love you Richard!" a man in the crowd screamed, to more cheers and applause.
Then, it was time to hear from America's Got Talent's fourth judge, Heidi Klum.
"Richard, Richard, Richard, you knocked me off my feet," Klum said, shaking her head.
"I mean, we all had the best time with you up there on that stage."
"I really, really feel something when I see you up there and hear you up there," she added.
"And now....," Klum added, before taking a dramatic pause.
"This is what I'm going to do for you, because I love you," Klum revealed, before dramatically pressing the Golden Buzzer.
The entire audience once again rose to their feet to give Goodall his second standing ovation of the night.
Golden confetti rained down on stage as Goodall, visibly emotional, put his hand against his chest as tears streamed down his face.
Klum got up on stage to hug Goodall, congratulating the star and calling his performance "amazing."
"I can't wait to hear what you're going to sing next," Klum added.
America's Got Talent Host Terry Crews could be seen wiping tears away from his face, as audience members nodded their heads in agreement, saying Goodall "deserves this."
“Oh, my gosh, you guys. I’ve never even been on a plane,” Goodall said, collecting himself.
“This was not on my radar to come to California. It’s just a dream come true," he added.
"We're happy you came," exclaimed Klum, standing next to Goodall.
"Bravo!" yelled Sofia Vergara, from the judge's booth.
Goodall went on to call his fiance, Angie, who could be heard saying "Woo-hoo! Oh my god, I knew it. I told you," to the now-viral star.
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What is the Golden Buzzer?
The Golden Buzzer was introduced in the ninth season of America's Got Talent.
In the show's ninth season, a judge could press a Golden Buzzer to send an act to the next round, regardless of the other judges' votes.
In the show's tenth season and on, pressing the Golden Buzzer would send an act straight to the live shows in Hollywood.
America's Got Talent chose to switch things up for the show's 19th season, revealing a new twist regarding its famous Golden Buzzers.
Starting in season 19, each judge is allowed to press the Golden Buzzer twice, thereby sending two acts straight to the live shows instead of just one.
However, the unique twist does come with some added stipulations.
The show's host, Terry Crews, receives just one Golden Buzzer – not two – to use.
America's Got Talent also eliminated the Audience Golden Buzzer, which appeared in the show's 18th season.
The Audience Golden Buzzer was given to one act by the show's live audience.
AGT even eliminated the show's Group Golden Buzzer, which was introduced in the show's 16th season.
The Group Golden Buzzer was given to one act by all four judges and the show's host.
In the show's 19th season premiere episode, two Golden Buzzers were given out to two unique contestants.
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Comedian Learnmore Jonasi received a Golden Buzzer from Crews for his stand-up routine comparing his life in Zimbabwe to his life in the US.
Then, Richard Goodall, during the final performance of the night, received a Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum for his rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believing.