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AGT concierge Richard Goodall performs Journey’s “Faithfully”
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AGT concierge Richard Goodall performs Journey’s “Faithfully”

Season 19 of America has talent has come to an end and the competition during the Live Final was fiercer than ever. This season’s Acts pushed the boundaries of belief, and sometimes physics, to deliver some truly mind-blowing entertainment.

How to watch

Watch America has talent Tuesdays at 8:00/7:00 p.m. on NBC and the following day on Peacock.

The top 10 acts took to the stage for the final time on September 17, 2024, to campaign for votes and their chance to win the $1 million prize. The line-up was diverse, including death-defying acrobats, high-speed magic, stand-up comedy, a dancing dog, and an aerial drone show. On paper, an unassuming 55-year-old elementary school janitor might seem like odd company, but Richard Goodall has a hidden talent that has carried him all the way to the finish line and earned him the season’s win.

Goodall keeps things sparkling at an elementary school in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he sings in the hallways while he cleans. Students told him he had talent often enough that he eventually started to believe them, and he hopped on a plane to AGT. Since then, he’s been a rocket ship going straight to the top. Goodall closed out the first set of Auditions with an incredible performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” When he was done, Simon Cowell said, “I think America is going to love you,” and he was right.

RELATED: Shy Janitor Richard Goodall Cries After Getting Heidi’s Golden Buzzer, Is So Emotional

After winning a Golden Buzzer, Goodall returned with performances of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” each song moving him one step closer to the finals.

Richard Goodall Sings Journey’s “Faithfully” During Live Final

Before his performance at the final exams, Goodall received video messages from people wishing him well.

“I hope I’m not looking for a new janitor, but Richard, if I am, it means you’ve won everything,” the principal said. Similar messages from students and family members accompanied a chalkboard that read, “Good luck sweeping the competition.” Goodall also heard from Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who made an exciting announcement.

“Richard, this is Neal from Journey. I loved your audition, man, and I have a surprise for you. I’m going to be in the finals with your performance. I’ll see you real soon,” Schon said.

Goodall fittingly delivered his second Journey song of the season with a heart-wrenching rendition of “Faithfully.” The combined power of Goodall’s voice and the accompanying backing band brought the entire audience to its feet, as flashlights and smartphones illuminated the room. Even after the final notes had played, the cheering from the crowd was so loud that the judges could barely be heard.

“TLuckily, it’s a song I’ve been singing to Ang for a long, long time, Goodall said NBC Insider. “I started with Journey, I wanted to end the competition with Journey. And little did I 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, ever since you came on this show, you’ve never broken down. You haven’t, you’ve stood up. 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 right now. I think you just sang yourself a million dollars.”

Watch previous episodes of America’s Got Talent on Peacock.