Richard Goodall is an American singer and school janitor who won Season 19 of America’s Got Talent in 2024, becoming the first vocalist to claim the title in five years. The 55-year-old from Terre Haute, Indiana, who has worked as a janitor for 23 years, stunned judges and audiences with his powerful renditions of classic rock songs. Despite his fame and million-dollar prize, Goodall continues working at West Vigo High School, proving that success doesn’t have to mean abandoning your roots.
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
In 2022, a video of Goodall performing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” at a school assembly went viral on TikTok, reaching millions of viewers. The video caught the attention of Steve Perry, Journey’s former lead singer, who commented, “I love this” on the performance.
The video wasn’t planned as a breakthrough moment. At the end of the school year, staff and students were celebrating fifth-grade graduation with a talent show, and teachers asked Goodall to step up to the mic. A teaching assistant recorded his performance and posted it to TikTok, where it quickly accumulated over 3 million views.
After receiving Perry’s approval, Goodall told ABC News: “I was in half-tears because this is the stuff I’ve grown up on, the people I listened to. I don’t have any formal training. When I was a kid, I was the kid who had speakers all around his bedroom, and I just turned on the radio and belted it out”.
From 2009 Rejection to Golden Buzzer Glory
Goodall first auditioned for America’s Got Talent in 2009 but was dropped in the first round. Fifteen years later, he returned to the AGT stage with a completely different outcome.
For his 2024 audition, Goodall flew for the first time in his life, traveling from Indianapolis to Los Angeles. He described the experience: “When I took off from Indianapolis, I felt that front wheel come off the ground, and you have this floating feeling, you’re no longer stable. And that’s what this whole experience is like right now.”
When the first notes of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” started, the judges and audience were visibly surprised by Goodall’s vocal range as he started belting out the song, echoing the near-exact sound, pitch, and range of Steve Perry’s vocals.
Judge Simon Cowell said, “Richard, you are my hero, because that was special. I think America is gonna love you”. Judge Heidi Klum gave him a golden buzzer, sending him directly to the live shows.
Richard Goodall’s Journey Through AGT Season 19
Goodall’s performances throughout the season showcased his range and emotional depth:
- Auditions: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey – Earned Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum
- Quarterfinals: “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Michael Bolton – Received high praise and a standing ovation
- Semifinals: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor – Showed his performance range with the upbeat song, carrying himself in true rockstar fashion
- Finals: “Faithfully” by Journey – His final performance before being crowned champion
His performances on the series earned more than 130 million video views across social platforms.
The Million-Dollar Prize: What Richard Actually Received
AGT winners don’t receive the full $1 million upfront. According to a disclaimer that appears at the end of each episode, the prize is “payable in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity”.
The amount is paid in a 40-year financial annuity, which means the winner gets $25,000 in annual pre-tax installments, or they can get the cash as a lump sum of approximately $300,000 before tax.
Goodall chose to take the installment payments over 40 years rather than the lump sum. This strategic decision allows for better long-term financial planning and stability.
Life After AGT: Still Mopping Floors
Unlike many reality show winners who immediately quit their day jobs, Goodall still holds his job as a janitor at West Vigo Middle School and has no plans to retire.
In an exclusive interview with NBC Insider, Goodall explained: “I’m still at the school, but things are going on behind the scenes, you know, some concerts are popping up. A lot of amazing things are just popping up, so I’ll continue to work at the school until, you know, I can’t anymore”.
When asked about life at school since becoming a national sensation, Goodall remained humble: “They were freaking out at first, but they see me every day, so it’s kind of like, they still remember me from the show, but they see me every day. So the fame is starting to wear off, I guess”.
After returning to school following his win, Goodall recalls: “I signed so many tennis shoes, cell phone cases, took so many selfies, so, yeah, I mean, they were very, very excited”.
Richard Goodall’s Personal Life and Love Story
Goodall married his fiancée, Angie Vanoven, in Pasadena, California, on September 18, 2024, six days before he was announced the winner of Season 19. The wedding took place just one day after he performed in the AGT finals.
Goodall shared the news on Facebook: “As of 3 pm Pacific time, Angie and I are now Richard and Angela VanGoodall!” He added: “An amazing night day and night last night married to my love with my agt family attending and we got the pleasure of eating in Malibu on the beach at Moonshadows! So blessed and eternally grateful”.
Finding Love Through Music After Loss
In June 2021, Goodall’s first wife, Patty, died of cancer. He explained: “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. And music was the bridge again”.
A few months after Patty’s death, Goodall started singing again at a bar’s karaoke night. Vanoven followed the bar’s Facebook page, which highlighted Goodall, and the two connected and began talking on New Year’s Day 2022.
Goodall explained the touching reason why he sang “Faithfully” by Journey in the finals, saying it’s his song with Vanoven: “I wanted my journey to be like a bookend. I started with Journey, I’m gonna finish with Journey, close the book”.
Richard Goodall’s Music Career and Performances
In August 2025, Goodall released his first original song called “Long Time Coming,” which is available on Apple Music and Spotify. In June 2025, Goodall traveled to Nashville and teased that he was working on music, posting photos from the studio.
During the August 12, 2025, episode celebrating AGT’s 20th season, Goodall appeared on the show and reflected on how winning season 19 had a lasting effect on him.
Performance Highlights Post-AGT
After winning, Goodall headlined a show in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has also performed the National Anthem at many Indiana sporting events, including an Indiana Pacers game.
Before his AGT fame, Goodall was a member of the band ManOpause, which performs renditions of rock classics and has almost 2,000 followers on Facebook.
Early Life and Career Path
Richard Goodall was born on October 10, 1969. Though it’s unclear where exactly he was born, he’s been living in Terre Haute, Indiana, for several decades.
Goodall has worked as a janitor for 23 years. When the time came to find a job, he found himself working at Chauncey Rose Middle School, which was only three blocks from his home in Terre Haute. Before setting foot on the AGT stage, he worked at schools including Chauncey Rose Middle School, Davis Park Elementary, and West Vigo Middle School.
In May 2024, Goodall told IndyStar that he started performing at karaoke nights in the ’90s before moving to the contest circuit with local radio stations. That journey took a pause with the pandemic.
What Makes Richard Goodall’s Story Special
Goodall told the Tell Us About Yourself podcast in January 2025: “Never at any point did I ever have any aspirations to perform”. Yet his journey proves that talent and authenticity can shine through at any age.
Goodall says he’s received hundreds of messages from fans saying his story inspired them: “Listening to you sing ‘Don’t Stop Believin” gave me power enough to say, ‘Okay, I’m going to try, and the worst they can do is tell me no.’ And that’s exactly how I went into the audition round”.
His hometown celebrated his success, with the Terre Haute mayor presenting him with the keys to the city. The school where he has worked for over two decades made his victory song “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey the school year’s hymn.
Richard Goodall’s Current Net Worth
Before appearing on AGT, Goodall’s net worth was estimated to be between $100,000 and $500,000, based primarily on his school janitor salary. According to ZipRecruiter, school janitors in Indiana earn an average annual salary of $33,887, with an hourly rate of $16.
After winning AGT, Richard Goodall’s estimated net worth is between $1 million $2 million, primarily from his AGT winnings and his growing music career. In addition to the prize money, he also won a 2024 Kia EV9, which adds to his growing assets.
When interviewed by Deadline after winning AGT, Goodall said the prize money would change his life forever. He talked with a financial advisor about using the prize money smartly, saying: “We’re going to have us a nice little house and be able to retire, maybe retire in style and see what other opportunities are on the horizon”.
FAQs
How old is Richard Goodall?
Richard Goodall was born on October 10, 1969, making him 55 years old when he auditioned for AGT in 2024.
Is Richard Goodall still a janitor?
Yes, Richard Goodall still works as a janitor at West Vigo Middle School in Terre Haute, Indiana, and has no plans to retire from this position.
Who is Richard Goodall’s wife?
Richard Goodall is married to Angie Vanoven. The couple tied the knot in September 2024, just one day after Goodall performed in the AGT finals.
What songs did Richard Goodall sing on AGT?
Throughout Season 19, Goodall performed classic rock hits including “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (audition), “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Michael Bolton (quarterfinals), “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (semifinals), and “Faithfully” by Journey (finals).
Did Richard Goodall release any music?
Yes, in August 2025, Richard Goodall released his first original song called “Long Time Coming,” which is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
How much money did Richard Goodall actually win on AGT?
While AGT advertises a $1 million prize, winners can choose annual pre-tax installments of roughly $25,000 over 40 years or receive a one-time lump sum payment of about $300,000 before taxes. Goodall chose the annual installments.
Richard Goodall’s story resonates because it’s real. He’s not trying to reinvent himself or chase fame. He’s a middle school janitor who loves to sing, who found his moment, and who’s choosing to stay grounded even after winning one of television’s biggest competitions. His journey from singing in school hallways to performing with Journey on national television proves that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams—and sometimes, the best path forward is the one that keeps you connected to where you started.
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