Richard Goodall, the viral ‘singing gatekeeper’, steps onto the AGT stage, confidently fulfilling a lifelong dream with well-deserved results

With his performance on ‘America’s Got Talent'(AGT) Season 19, Richard Goodall, the famous ‘singing janitor’, is fulfilling a childhood dream. The event “was surreal”, according to Richard, whose version of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ during a year-end program at Davis Park Elementary School, where he worked, went viral in the summer of 2022.

 

In 2009, Richard attended an open audition for ‘AGT’ in Chicago, but he didn’t make it past the first round. This time, the procedure involved uploading a video audition online, which was followed by a Zoom call and interview.

“The TikTok video helped out quite a bit, too,” he stated. At last, he got the word that he was going to ‘AGT’ in Pasadena.

“It wasn’t real to me until they actually scheduled my flight,” said the man. He was given a five-day, fully-funded vacation in Pasadena to attend the show’s audition.

Richard Goodall cried after his ‘AGT’ audition

Richard gave a performance in front of Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, and Sofia Vergara. He informed that Simon had interviewed him.

In a brief video ad for the May 28 show, Richard is heard saying, “The kids call me Mr Richard … I’ve been a janitor for 23 years.”

Walker Hayes gifts AGT's Golden Buzzer winner Richard Goodall a new car

Regarding the marketing, he adds, “To me, it’s not about the money, it’s about the people.”

“That has America’s Got Talent written all over it,” remarks Sofia. Richard was performing for a sizable, enthusiastic crowd.

He said that getting ready to perform on stage made him feel enthusiastic, “When they hand me that microphone, it’s like flipping a switch,” he added.

But as soon as he crossed the stage, he began stroking his chest in an attempt to maintain his composure. Upon seeing him, the judges inquired about his well-being.

Indeed, Richard said to them, “Yeah, it’s just been a long time coming.”

He gave the backroom crew high marks. “They are just as amazing as the people out front,” he stated.

What was the result of his audition, then? Richard says you’ll have to watch the episode to find out. “I cried at the end.”

What does ‘AGT’ Season 19 Richard Goodall do for work?
Although he has long wished to be on the program, the modest West Vigo Middle School custodian notes, “I’m still a janitor… living on a budget.”

He looks after Davis Park Elementary School’s custodial needs. He has worked for the Vigo County School Corporation for more than twenty years.

Whatever the result, he had a once-in-a lifetime experience. Prior to his ‘AGT’ experience, he remarked, “I’ve never been west of Missouri, and I’ve never been on an airplane”.

Additionally, Richard now gets the chance to demonstrate his talent to a national audience.

America’s Got Talent Unveils the 44 Acts Competing in the Season 19 Live Show

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the hit NBC talent series announced the 44 acts that will compete in this season’s live shows, set to kick off Aug. 13.

The live shows will begin with four weeks of quarterfinals, in which 11 acts will take the stage but only three will advance on based on America’s vote.

In a series first, judges Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara and host Terry Crews will each have the opportunity to send acts straight to the finals with a “Live Show Golden Buzzer.”

After the quarterfinals wrap, 12 acts will move on to the semifinals, where they will compete for the top six spots based on viewers’ votes. Those six acts will then join the four Live Show Golden Buzzers in the two-night finale, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 17 and concluding Tuesday, Sept 24.

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