In a true dirty rags to riches story, singing janitor Richard Goodall won the 19th season of “America’s Got Talent” during the Sept. 24 season finale.
Calling it “one if the best seasons I can remember,” host Terry Crews introduced the two finalists, Goodall and dance team Roni Sagi and Rhythm, before revealing Goodall was the winner of the $1 million grand prize.
After he was announced the winner, streamers came flooding down from the rafters onto the stage, while the audience cheered and judge Heidi Klum rushed onto the stage to give Goodall a hug.
When asked how did feel following his win, Goodall referenced judge Simon Cowell’s previous comments about how quickly a person’s fortunes can shift.
“Simon (Cowell) says two minutes can change your life. My life has been transformed and I did it,” he said.
“I’m so excited for you, Richard!” Klum cheered. “I’m so excited! I love you. Thank you, America.”
Goodall, from Terre Haute, Indiana, had been a favorite since he first appeared on the show, earning the Golden Buzzer from Klum on the May 28 episode after he sang a cover of Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which he also got to perform again during the finale with members of the band.
Goodall also reaped the benefits of his recent stardom — he was flown out to California to appear on the show, marking his first time on a plane.
“Oh, my gosh, you guys. I’ve never even been on a plane,” he said after he received the Golden Buzzer. “This was not on my radar to come to California. It’s just a dream come true.”
As the season progressed, it became clear to the judges that Goodall was a force to be reckoned with.
“I don’t know what it is with you, Richard, but I just have a really soft, soft spot for you in my heart,” Klum told him after he performed “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton on the Aug. 13 episode.
“And if you make it through, you really do have a shot of winning this whole competition,” Cowell told him.
Goodall still can’t believe he won.
“The audition, I was flying out by the seat of my pants,” he told People. “Never been on a plane, never been west of Missouri, and I was just going to fly out, sing a song, fly back home, and maybe tell somebody I was on the show and have a little YouTube video like everyone else. Never dreamed (of this).”
Wining the show may actually be the second biggest thing to happen to Goodall this week. During the finale, he revealed he got married.
“She is the love of my life. I love her so much,” he said about his new bride, after he performed “Don’t Stop Believin.’”
As for his whirlwind week, Goodall is still trying to comprehend it all.
“My brain is just absolutely mush at this point. Surreal doesn’t even cover what has happened,” he told People. “This has been an absolute rollercoaster and now it has ended with absolute golden dust flying everywhere.”
When it comes to winning “America’s Got Talent,” Goodall says it’s a feat that is unmatched. “There’s bucket lists and then there’s top-shelf bucket lists,” he said. “You didn’t even know it was up there on top of the shelf. This is absolute, a bucket list (item) that I couldn’t even (think) of or dreamed.”
