55-year-old janitor becomes America’s Got Talent 2024 Champion
In the final round of America’s Got Talent on September 24 (US time), Richard Goodall beat out 9 other competitors to win. He performed a song by the rock band Journey, featuring guitarist Neal Schon (a member of the band).
Speaking at the finale, the 55-year-old said he never thought he would go this far or win the biggest prize. Before becoming the champion of America’s Got Talent, he was just a janitor at a school in Indiana (USA) for the past 23 years.Before joining the contest, Richard Goodall attracted attention on social network TikTok when he posted video he performs the song Don’t Stop Believin’ (Don’t Give Up Believing) to students in 2022.
During the audition for America’s Got Talent 2024, Richard Goodall expressed: “The song I performed is to remind everyone that no matter how difficult life is, never stop believing. I’m just an ordinary person working for a salary, but on a beautiful day, I get to stand on a big stage and perform. Always believe in yourself.”
Richard Goodall revealed that he liked different genres of music and studied them since he was young but did not have the opportunity to pursue professional studies.
He used to participate in local singing competitions but was not successful. Music and love music help him have enough strength to overcome all difficulties, heal wounds and always move forward.
On stage to receive the award, Goodall confided: “This moment I want to say that two minutes on stage changed my life and I really did.” Guitarist Neal Schon and the show’s judge, supermodel Heidi Klum, both praised the winner.Viewers also supported Richard Goodall’s victory and believed that his story would spread positive energy to society, encouraging people to pursue their dreams regardless of age and profession in society.
Richard Goodall happily said after the final night: “Everything exceeded my imagination. I could not even dream of performing with a famous star like Neal Schon.”
The wife of the 2024 America’s Got Talent champion also revealed that her husband wants to quit his job as a cleaner to focus on his music career if given the chance.
America’s Got Talent is a talent search program in the US broadcast on NBC (USA) to find professional or amateur artists, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of making art.
The show’s four judges include Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell. The show first aired in 4 and is currently in its 2006th season.
