Honestly, it feels like something out of a cheesy 90s movie script. You have a guy who spent 23 years buffing floors and emptying trash cans at West Vigo Middle School in Terre Haute, Indiana. He’s 55 years old. He’s never been on an airplane in his life. Then, suddenly, he’s standing on a stage in California, Heidi Klum is slamming a Golden Buzzer, and the winner of America's Got Talent 2024 is officially a man the kids back home just call "Mr. Richard."
Richard Goodall didn't just win a talent show; he basically broke the internet and the hearts of every cynical person watching at home.
The season 19 finale wasn't even close if you look at the fan reception. When Terry Crews called his name on September 24, 2024, it felt less like a surprise and more like a long-overdue crowning. He took home the $1 million grand prize and a brand-new Kia EV9, but more importantly, he proved that being a "late bloomer" is a massive understatement.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Most people remember the first time they saw Richard. He walked out in his signature paperboy hat, looking genuinely terrified. You could tell he wasn't a "pro" used to the bright lights. He told the judges he was a janitor. Simon Cowell gave that look he always gives—the one that says, "Okay, let’s see what you’ve got."
Then Richard started singing Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believin’."
It wasn't just good. It was stadium good. The grit in his voice and the way he hit those high notes made everyone forget he was a guy who spent his mornings scraping gum off desks. Heidi Klum didn't even hesitate. She hit that Golden Buzzer so hard you thought it might break. That single moment on May 28, 2024, launched a viral trajectory that basically guaranteed him a spot in the finals.
What Really Happened With the AGT 2024 Results
While Richard was the clear frontrunner, the competition was actually pretty stiff. The 2024 lineup was weirdly diverse, even for AGT. You had a dog act, a drone show, and a quick-change artist all fighting for that top spot.
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Here is how the final five actually shook out:
- Richard Goodall (Singer) - 1st Place
- Roni Sagi & Rhythm (Dog Act) - 2nd Place
- Sky Elements (Drone Show) - 3rd Place
- Solange Kardinaly (Quick-Change Artist) - 4th Place
- Learnmore Jonasi (Comedian) - 5th Place
Roni Sagi and her dog Rhythm were incredible, doing these synchronized dances that looked more like ballet than pet tricks. Honestly, in any other year, they probably would have won. But they were up against a human-interest story that was impossible to beat. Sky Elements also put on a massive show with their drones, but you can't really "root" for a robot the way you root for a guy from Indiana.
Why Richard Goodall Still Matters in 2026
We’re sitting here in early 2026 now, and Richard isn't just a footnote in reality TV history. Usually, AGT winners sort of fade into the Vegas residency background. Richard did things a bit differently.
He didn't just take the money and run. He actually went back to Indiana for a bit. He married his longtime partner, Angie Vanoven, in Malibu just six days before he was announced as the winner of America's Got Talent 2024. Talk about a productive week.
Recently, he returned to the AGT stage during the Season 20 finale (late 2025) to perform his original song, "Long Time Coming." He even got to play with Neal Schon from Journey. It was a full-circle moment because, back in 2022, a video of him singing at a school assembly went viral and caught the attention of Steve Perry himself.
The "Janitor" Narrative vs. Reality
People love the "janitor" tag, but Richard was a musician long before he was on TV. He played in a local band called ManOpause for years. He wasn't some guy who just discovered he could sing in the shower last Tuesday. He had the "chops," he just didn't have the platform.
The real struggle for Richard wasn't the singing; it was the lifestyle change. Imagine going from Terre Haute to Pasadena. He had to learn how to navigate red carpets and interviews while still cashing in his saved vacation days at the school to make sure his bills were paid. He remained remarkably grounded. Even after winning a million bucks, he was quoted saying he’d "never be a diva."
Misconceptions About the $1 Million Prize
Here is the thing most people get wrong about AGT. You don't just get a giant briefcase with $1,000,000 in cash the night you win.
The prize is typically paid out as an annuity over 40 years, which works out to about $25,000 a year before taxes. Or, you can take a lump sum that is significantly smaller—usually around $300,000 to $400,000 after Uncle Sam takes his cut. For a school custodian, that’s still life-changing money, but it’s not "buy a private island" money.
Richard also won a Kia EV9. He actually already had a car gifted to him earlier in the season by country star Walker Hayes, so he ended up giving the new one to his wife. Not a bad deal for a couple of months of work.
What You Can Learn From Richard's Journey
If you’re looking for the "secret sauce" behind his win, it wasn't just the voice. It was the authenticity. In a world of over-polished influencers, Richard Goodall felt real.
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He picked songs that people knew by heart—Michael Bolton’s "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," Survivor’s "Eye of the Tiger," and Journey’s "Faithfully." He stayed in his lane. He didn't try to be a pop star; he stayed a rock-and-roll storyteller.
If you want to follow in those footsteps, here are the takeaways:
- Don't ignore your "local" audience. Richard's viral moment started in a middle school gym, not a recording studio.
- Timing isn't everything. He was 55 when he won. If he had tried at 25, the "janitor" story wouldn't have existed, and he might have just been another face in the crowd.
- Stay connected to your roots. Part of why America kept voting for him was because he never pretended to be something he wasn't.
If you’re interested in seeing what Richard is up to now, you can check out his latest single "Long Time Coming" on streaming platforms. It’s a classic rock-inspired track that stays true to the sound that made him the winner of America's Got Talent 2024.
For those wanting to see his full path to the trophy, his audition and finale performances with Journey are still some of the most-watched clips on the AGT YouTube channel, with the audition alone sitting at well over 42 million views. You can start by watching his performance of "Faithfully" from the finale to see exactly why the judges were so blown away.