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‘America’s Got Talent’ 2024 Winner Revealed: Richard Goodall
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‘America’s Got Talent’ 2024 Winner Revealed: Richard Goodall

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“America’s Got Talent” has announced a new winner.

Richard Goodall, the self-proclaimed “singing janitor” from Indiana, donning his newsboy hat, auditioned with an emotional rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” that went viral and took home the top prize during Tuesday night’s “AGT” finale.

The powerhouse singer, who won Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, beat out nine other finalists, including gravity-defying Tanzanian acrobats Hakuna Matata Acrobats, Zimbabwean stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi and Japanese dance group AIRFOOTWORKS. As the night drew to a close, the competition was narrowed down to just Goodall and Israeli canine duo Roni Sagi and Rhythm.

Finally, the collaboration everyone had been waiting for came to fruition when Goodall fan Neal Schon joined the singing manager on stage with the band Journey. Of course, they had to sing the song that started it all, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

During his time on “AGT,” Goodall won over the American vote with performances of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and finally Journey’s “Faithfully.”

Leading up to the big reveal, guests included historic Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and the Gold Over America Tour, Michael Bublé, Steve Aoki, Gabriel Iglesias and Andra Day.

Goodall’s win was good news for Klum, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and host Terry Crews, who were impressed with the Hoosier from the start.

“You’re such an amazing man. You’re so humble, you’re so kind. You’re also a little quiet, but not when you’re behind the microphone!” Klum told Goodall during the finale. “Then you’re a big rock star! … I want you to win this so badly, Richard.”

“You’re our hero,” Cowell said, as Mandel placed his bets on Goodall winning it all: “I think you just sang yourself $1 million. I think this is the winner.”

‘Music was the bridge’ for Richard Goodall after losing his wife

For Goodall, who has worked in the same western Indiana school district for 23 years and was boarding a plane for the first time to audition for the NBC competition, “AGT” was an experience all its own.

He grew up singing along to his RadioShack stereo and performing at karaoke nights in the 1990s. He performed with two gospel trios until the pandemic put an end to those ventures. In 2021, Goodall’s wife, Patty, died of cancer.

“When you’ve been married for so long and they pass away and you have that void, your biggest concern is figuring out who you are without them,” he told the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, in May. “And music was the bridge again.”

The week before the finale, he married his fiancée, Angie Vanoven, in front of his “AGT” family. He announced on Facebook that they are now Richard and Angela VanGoodall.

In 2022, Goodall first went viral with his performance of “Don’t Stop Believin'” at his students’ graduation ceremony. Even former Journey frontman Steve Perry praised the performance.

“I have no expectations of winning the show,” he said. “I’m going to give it my all and I’m going to try to be the best contestant I can be.”

He revealed his plans to spend the $1 million prize on a double mobile home so he could move to a senior living community in Florida and enjoy his retirement — with the occasional pasta and fish dinner. “I’m not a fancy person,” he said.

Who Were the Finalists of ‘AGT’ 2024?

The top 10 acts were:

  • Roni Sagi & Rhythm (dancer and dancing dog)
  • Sky Elements (air drones)
  • More information Jonasi (stand-up comedian)
  • Solange Kardinaly (quick change magician)
  • Brent Street (dance group)
  • Richard Goodall (singer)
  • Hakuna Matata Acrobats (acrobatics group)
  • AIRFOOTWORKS (dance group)
  • Dee Dee Simon (singer)
  • Sebastian and Sonia (aerial acrobats)

Contributors: Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star