America's Got Talent has crowned its newest winner. Richard Goodall, the self-proclaimed "singing janitor" from Indiana who auditioned with an emotional rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" that went viral, took home the top prize during the "AGT" finale Tuesday night.
The powerhouse vocalist, 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 came to a close, the competition was narrowed down to just Goodall and the dog performing duo from Israel, Roni Sagi and Rhythm.
Goodall's win was welcome news for Klum, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and host Terry Crews, who've been impressed by the Hoosier from the get. "You are such an amazing man. You are so humble, you're so kind. You are also a little bit quiet, but not when you are behind the microphone!" Klum told Goodall during the final round. "Then you are a big rockstar! ... I want you to win this so bad, Richard."
"You are our hero," Cowell said, while Mandel placed his bets on Goodall winning it all: "I think you just sang yourself $1 million. I believe this is the winner."
"AGT" was a fish-out-of-water experience for Goodall, who has worked in the same western Indiana school district for 23 years and boarded a plane for the first time to audition for the NBC competition show.
He grew up belting along to his RadioShack stereo and in the '90s performed at karaoke nights. He performed with two gospel trios until the pandemic put a halt on those ventures. Then in 2021, Goodall's wife, Patty, died of cancer.
"When you're married for so long and they pass away and you've got that void there, 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, with his "AGT" family in attendance. He announced on Facebook that they are now Richard and Angela VanGoodall.
In 2022, Goodall went viral for the first time with his rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" at his students' graduation. Even former Journey frontman Steve Perry praised the performance.
"I don't have any 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 competitor that I can be."
He revealed his plans to put the $1 million prize toward a double-wide trailer so he could move into a senior living community in Florida and enjoy retirement — with the occasional pasta and seafood dinner. "I'm not a fancy person," he said.
The $1 Million Prize: A Big Win With a Catch
America's Got Talent fans, let's all congratulate Richard Goodall as the winner of season 19! The latest installment of the hit NBC competition series just wrapped up the season, and fans are ecstatic by the former janitor's victory in the final round of the season. With judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel helping the audience figure out who deserved to come out on top every week, it wasn't a surprise folks were waiting in suspense to see if their favorite would end up taking it all.
In the end, it was clear Richard was the one to beat, edging out dog act Roni Sagi and Rhythm and electric drone group Sky Elements to claim the $1 million top prize.
When host Terry Crews congratulated Richard on his success, he also revealed to the audience that Richard would received the huge monetary reward teased from the very beginning. Although fans are thrilled for what Richard managed to gain out of competing for the last few months, they may be surprised to learn there's a major caveat that comes with earning the $1 million dollar prize at the end of the season.
If fans paid attention at the end of each AGT episode, a disclaimer comes on screen that reads "the prize, which totals $1,000,000, is payable in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity." So, what exactly does this mean? Well, Forbes managed to break it down back in 2016, making it a little easier for folks to understand at home.
As it turns out, the outlet explained at the time an intriguing finding about if an AGT winner actually wins the $1 million prize. According to the publication, should a winner decide to take the cash in its full entirety (also known as the "present cash value"), then the earnings would only measure up to around $300,000 after breaking it down to pay for taxes. On the other hand, should the winner decide to split receiving the cash payout over four decades, then the person would receive $25,000 per year before taxes.
Although there doesn't seem to be a more updated resource on how much of the $1 million prize the AGT winner gets, it's important to note the winners have been able to make a lot more money after winning the show. Season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal is currently starring in the 2024 film Megalopolis, and season 18 winner Adrian Stoica performed with his dog Hurricane during the America's Got Talent Presents: Superstars show in Las Vegas in late January.
Beyond the Prize: A Singing Janitor's Rise
Richard Goodall's journey on "America's Got Talent" has been an inspiring one. From his humble beginnings as a janitor to his viral fame, Goodall's story proves that dreams can come true, even if you've never been on an airplane before. Goodall's audition, a heartfelt rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'," captured the hearts of America, and his subsequent performances solidified his place as a fan favorite.
Goodall's win is a testament to his talent, his resilience, and his unwavering belief in himself. It's a reminder that anyone can achieve their dreams if they're willing to work hard and never give up. While the $1 million prize may come with a caveat, Goodall's journey on "America's Got Talent" is a win in itself, a testament to his talent, his resilience, and his unwavering belief in himself. This singing janitor has found a new platform to showcase his talent and inspire others, and it's a journey we're all excited to see unfold.
Looking Ahead: From Janitor to Superstar
Richard Goodall's story is a testament to the power of dreams and the transformative nature of music. His journey from a singing janitor to a "America's Got Talent" champion is one that will surely inspire many. As Goodall steps into his newfound stardom, we can only imagine what's next for this talented artist. The future is bright for this Hoosier, and we can't wait to see what he does next.
