Meet Richard Goodall, whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From mopping the floor of empty school hallways–––to becoming an internet sensation and winning the “America Got Talent” in 2024, he has shocked the world with his stunning rise to fame.
Richard’s win didn’t only come with a title but also a $1 Million dollars cash prize. Watch the video of him winning the Golden Buzzer that left the audience and judges in awe.
Richard Goodall Receives The GOLDEN BUZZER For “Don’t Stop Believin'” | Auditions | AGT 2024
Being a million dollars richer, Richard is thinking about leaving Indiana, where fans supported him with millions of votes. Rumor has it he wants to move to a warmer state—maybe somewhere he can sing outside without freezing his toes off. Did you know that past AGT, the winners often see their album sales go up by over 200%, so just imagine the things we can expect from Richard, who not only won AGT but also the heart of America.
Richard confirmed exclusively on camera: “The sky’s the limit. I had no expectations doing all this.
“And now look at me. We want to find a nice little place either in Terre Haute [Indiana] or Florida.
‘I’m Indiana through and through’ | School janitor emerges from shadows to spotlight with ‘America’s
“I want to go somewhere warmer. The future, it’s unwritten now, whereas a year ago, I was just the guy that took out the trash and wiped the tables and now possibilities are kind of endless.”
“I foresee myself having a home with the washer and dryer of my very own in it. And I foresee that very soon,” Angela added.
“We have separate homes. We’re going to get a whole different house because I have a tiny apartment, and his house isn’t livable. It’s just not okay. It’s just not. That’s all going to change.
It’s safe to say that he’s going to retire from the school, and we’re going to do things that we want to do.
Richard Goodall Sings “Don’t Stop Believing” w. Neal Schon & Members of Journey | Finale | AGT 2024
“Life is short, so you got to have fun with it and you got to go out there and grasp your life. You got to live it.”
Before winning, Richard was the kind of person most people might pass by in the school halls without noticing—just a hardworking janitor. But look at him now! He reminds me of a neighbor who once said, “A spark can start a fire if you give it the right chance.” That’s what happened for Richard: one spark, one audition, and now he’s blazing bright.
Richard confirmed that Angela was the “driving force” behind him trying out for AGT. What makes this even more inspiring is that Angela was facing a serious health problem at the time—a heart defect that put her life at risk. Yet she pushed him to follow his Hollywood dream, showing that genuine support means encouraging someone to shine even when you’re going through tough times.
Richard Goodall returns home to a crowd of support
Angela revealed how facing heart surgery was “so sad and scary,.”
“But I knew that he had to do this for him regardless of what happened with me because I knew he had it in him, and it was his chance.
“So I just told him, you’re going to have to do it for both of us, you know, can do it.’
“I can’t come this time, but by the grace of God I’ll be there every time after and here I am. And here we are.”
The best news came when specialists told Angela her surgery was a success. With that, both of them felt a huge weight lift off their shoulders. Their story reminds me of a survey I read: couples who support each other’s dreams often find greater happiness and success.
America’s Got Talent 2024 WINNER Richard Goodall – All Performances!
“Once I knew I was going to live, I was just like, each day, I am not going to take a day for granted. Never.
“‘ I’m going to live each day doing what I want to do.”
In the end, Richard’s victory shows that dreams can become real if you keep pushing forward. Now, he and Angela look ahead with hope, ready to leave old troubles behind and step into a brighter, warmer future.