‘AGT’ Winner Richard Goodall Admits He Almost Didn’t Audition for Show

Martin Holmes October 2, 2024, 10:29 am

Richard Goodall bagged himself the $1 million prize and the hearts of America when he won Season 19 of America’s Got Talent last week, but none of it would have been possible without his wife, Angie Vanoven.

The singing school janitor from Terre Haute, Indiana, spoke to NBC Insider following his AGT victory last Tuesday, September 24, where he admitted that he almost didn’t audition for the show. However, after some encouragement from Angie, whom Goodall married just days before the AGT finale, he decided to take the risk.

“At my age, it was a culmination. Between the kids and then Ang…” Goodall said of his decision to try out for AGT. “You don’t choose TV, TV chooses you. And when they come-a-calling Ang said, ‘You’ve got to go.’”

Not only did Angie persuade Goodall to take his first-ever plane journey to attend the AGT audition, but she predicted his success.

“And she said, before I got on that plane, she said, ‘You’re gonna get a Golden Buzzer, you know that?’” Goodall recalled. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, right.’ And so I was just gonna fly on a plane, sing a song and fly home, and have a nice little YouTube video for a memory. And then look at me now!”

Angie’s prediction came true, as Goodall earned Heidi Klum‘s Golden Buzzer after his stunning rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” From there, America’s votes kept him in the competition until he eventually triumphed at the grand finale, where he performed the Journey classic again with the band’s guitarist Neal Schon.

“I just had an absolutely amazing time with all these people out here and anybody who is even remotely thinking about [auditioning], if you’ve got even just a little bit of talent and you think that you might have something, give it a shot!” Goodall stated.

He concluded, “I mean, I’m going to be 55 in October and look at me… Six months ago, I would have thought you were crazy and look at me now. It was just because Ang said, ‘Get on that plane and make it happen.’ Just don’t sell yourself short. At least, bare minimum, give it a shot. Don’t be that person who says, ‘Well I could have done this and I didn’t do it.’ Take the shot. What have you got to lose?”

Despite his success and newfound fame, Goodall remains down to earth and even returned to his day job as a school janitor earlier this week. On Wednesday, October 2, he shared a message with his Facebook followers, letting them know that today is “National Custodian Day.”

“Just in case nobody knew this! Tell them thank you! From Richard,” he wrote.

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“Thank you for all the work you have ever done for the school. Hugs,” one commenter replied.

“As a former teacher, I always made friends with the custodian first. Your work is appreciated! Happy Custodian’s Day Mr. Richard,” said another.

Another added, “Custodians are the backbone of the school system. Thank you for all you do!”

“Happy custodian day Richard .. you are such a beautiful soul and I pray this life brings you all that you want and more with your beautiful wife,” wrote another.