Richard Goodall, a school janitor from Indiana, surprised everyone when he won America’s Got Talent in 2024. Originally a janitor, Richard never expected to become a star. But now, he’s kicking off his 2025 with a national tour, starting at Palace Theatre in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on January 19.
On May 28, 2024, Richard was introduced to the world in the most unexpected way when his audition aired on “America’s Got Talent.” A humble janitor who came from a small town delivered a beautiful performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and his voice was so extraordinary that it blew the judges away. By December 2024, his audition had more than 30 million views on YouTube. That’s when Richard’s life changed completely. He won the Golden Buzzer, which sent him straight to the finals. And he didn’t stop there, he went on to win the whole competition! Watch the unforgettable performance below that started it all.
Richard Goodall Receives The GOLDEN BUZZER For “Don’t Stop Believin'” | Auditions | AGT 2024
But what sets Richard apart — overall — is his humility. He was humble, even after he won the big prize. “I didn’t have any expectations coming into the auditions, and the same thing happened to the finals. I give it all and leave it all on the stage,” he said. Richard wasn’t looking for notoriety; he was just living his best life. What actually bonded people around him was him singing.
When Richard sang Don’t Stop Believin’, it was a huge moment. But even though the judges were amazed, he wasn’t expecting to get the Golden Buzzer. “I didn’t stop believing. I kept on singing. I kept on pushing,” he said. That firm belief in himself helped him win the competition and changed his life forever.
Journey and Richard Goodall Sing Together in the Finals! | AGT 2024 Final
Despite winning America’s Got Talent, Richard still works as a janitor at the school. “I’m still at the school. I’m still a janitor,” he told TODAY. Even though he now has a manager and is getting ready to go on tour, he’s still keeping his regular job. “Not much has changed,” he added. “I have a manager now, and at some point, I’ll probably have to take a leave of absence for a while.” For now, though, he’s balancing his singing career with his job at the school. He still sees the same people every day, and nothing feels too different. “Everybody says hi and asks me how I’m doing and what’s going on in my life. They just see me all the time, so it’s kind of, you know, it’s just Richard.”
Even though he’s still working at the school, Richard is making big moves in his music career. “Some concerts are popping up,” he said. He’s already lined up to play at some big events, like a festival in Riverside, California.
Richard Goodall’s Sings with Rudy Cardenas
Richard’s message to anyone who has dreams is clear: don’t give up. He’s proof that anyone can achieve big things if they keep working hard. “If somebody like me can try out, get through each round and then ultimately win the show, then anybody can,” he said. “Try out, give it a shot, because everyone has dreams. Everybody has something inside of them that they want to get out.”
So, if you’ve ever thought about trying out for America’s Got Talent, Richard says now’s the perfect time. “Season 20! I mean, it’s the 20th season of AGT. There’s no more perfect time to try out than now.”
Richard Goodall Sings An INCREDIBLE Cover Of “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor | Semifinals | AGT 2024
Richard didn’t wait for the “right moment” to follow his dreams. He just went for it. Now, he’s about to start his national tour, showing that anyone can do great things, no matter where they start. If you’re in Greensburg on January 19, you might just get to see Richard Goodall live, proving that dreams really can come true.