‘AGT’ Champ Richard Goodall Talks Quitting Janitor Job & How He’ll Spend Prize Money
Richard Goodall‘s dreams came true on Tuesday night (September 24) when he won Season 19 of America’s Got Talent, not only winning the hearts of America but the $1 million prize.
“I go into every single section of the show with no expectations, and so when he called my name, I was flabbergasted,” Goodall told Gold Derby after his victory. “It’s not very often that I’m speechless. Not just with winning the show, but I sang with Journey on the show, so pinch me!”
Goodall, who works as a janitor for a middle school in Terre Haute, Indiana, is now looking forward to what’s next. As for whether he’ll quit his janitor job, it seems that isn’t the plan just yet.
“I’m going to be there for a little while and see what comes our way and see where life takes us,” he explained, noting how he and his newly wedded wife Angela “definitely want a home.”
“Then we want to invest a little bit of the money smartly and just do whatever is called. We might rent or lease a nice RV and just kind of tour around different places,” he added.
“I need to be smart,” he continued. “That’s a lot of money, but that kind of money doesn’t always go very far if you’re just being stupid. There’s TV shows about lottery winners that win the lottery and two years later they’ve got absolutely nothing. So we’re gonna be smart about it.”
Goodall shared similar sentiments in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, revealing he plans to remain in his janitor role “for a while still yet” and then “invest a little” of his $1 million prize money.
“Angela and I, we think everything out together. We don’t make any plans other than what we talk about together,” he told the outlet. “We’re not fancy people, so it’s not going to be anything fancy or extravagant. We’re just regular people and the money is… we just try to be conservative about it. We have no idea or expectations of what’s coming ahead.”
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
I Feel it is unethical and extremely misleading To let contestants think they might Possibly win $1 million. Richard Goodall is talking about possibly quitting his job, Purchasing an RV and traveling then buying a home and investing. I am sure it will be a huge let down for him. Wonder how much the judges plus Terry make.
Marian Marcy
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Agree. But what's deceptive is how they get their winnings: it's over 40 YEARS. Comes to $25k/yr. Or they can cash it out for a $300k lump sum. Now that's deceptive when they announce a prize of $1m every week.
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$1 million or not the government has to take their piece..
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O
Winning 1m is a joke. Tax man gets most of it.judges probably get a 1m each. Richard is a fabulous singer, hopefully his career will take off .
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P
First, it is NOT $1 million. It's a 40 year annuity at $25k.. or a lump sum of around $300 k. Still a nice sum. I'm sure he has or will be approached by promoters to further his career.
God Speed!
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R
And how do you know? Did you win this or any contest?
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G
It's called, paying taxes on your earnings.
Just like when you win a certain lumpsump in a casino, you have to pay taxes on your winnings. Hope this info helped you have a better understanding.
Remember, the government always is there to collect its cut!
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It's in the fine print on the show how the money will be distributed. Very misleading because it will take 40 years of getting 25k a year to reach 1m. Probably most people pick the lump sum. But that isn't going to pay for all the things this guy wants to do.
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R
It is not 1 million, you get it over 40 years or a lump sum of 300,000. That is deceiving.
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O
He works for a school district he is 55, not sure how Indiana retirement system’s work, I believe he has been there for 25 years , I would wait until I can start collecting.
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My mom used to say if you don't have anything nice to say.,keep your mouth shut. So many people find it their job to put down other people on the DL. What I mean by that is that you wouldn't say it to their face but you decide to put it on chat to put someone down if more people treated people the way they wanted to be treated, a lot of this wouldn't be happening
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How is it putting people down to point out the reality of the how the prize money is distributed?
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Amen Lisa !!
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B
You’re a star, Richard. Please take some of that money to have your teeth done so you can have a beautiful smile!
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G
I feel the same way but not for looks, he is a nice looking man. but for his health.Dental problems can attribute to so many other health problems, especially heart.
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Well now that was mean
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G
I have always been a huge AGT fan but wish they would be more upfront about what the prize money really is and how it is distributed. So many great talent acts but the right act most def won. I love Vegas and would certainly pay to see Richard.
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G
It’s no one’s business how he spends his money .
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O
Well. it's a big excitement. money goes fast. until he gets a handle on which way he's going like a record contract a manager that will not screw him. he needs to stand still.
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My name is Jeff
Richard received 54 percent of vote
I think it's crystal clear that he deserved
to win
I have real time believing all the negative
comments posted about Richard
He may just be a janitor, but he is respected for his job
I do janitorial work myself,l am well
respected for my work
I have a major question for all those
people who think he didn't deserve
to win
ARE YOU Respected FOR YOUR JOB?
If not, you might want to judge yourself
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W
He seems like a down to earth person him and his new wife I wish them both the best and if you end up in Vegas I want a picture of you and me together enjoy life Richard you deserve it good luck
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P
I think Richard better run and Hide. Because when you win that kind of money. People will come from out of nowhere wanting to borrow money from you. Relatives, Friends and people you don’t even know will ask you for money. Trust me. I know. Congratulations Richard! I am so happy for you!❤️❤️❤️
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O
You don’t have to worry about Richard. He’s only going to get $25,000 per year, he he takes the annuity. Nothing to write home about.
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G
The show is a big ripoff. Should be the GROSS 300,000 show not the million dollar dancing with the stars. Simply stay where you are. No one is going to Las Vegas to see you, the popular dog trick is more popular for
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D
Wow. People are absolutely evil. Sad.
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I have to agree with you Dana
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Yes, Dana and Angie there are evil in this world and Kenmax00 will learn there is a special place made for him!!!
GO RICHARD! You are amazing!!!! 👏 👏
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G
You are a real jerk! The audiences didn’t think so and I think I think anyone who puts themself out there deserves a little respect.
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This is outright rude
You are just jealous it’s not you 😡😡😡
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P
Richard Cranium, is that you ?
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G
I live in panama and I will go and see him. He is so humble and such a darling. He is also so redpectful. Why would a moron like make such a horrible comment. The same fans that voted him for him to become the winner would follow him to Las vegas. SMH
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I can't see people buying plane tickets to Vegas, paying for tickets to see him in concert, and paying for hotel and food. Hundreds to thousands of dollars to see a very mediocre singer who does Journey covers? He has no stage presence whatsoever and does nothing interesting with the songs. He is a dime a dozen. No stand-out talent.
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G
He was very good and he deserves to win people like you who trash talk others need to learn to shit your mouths and be quiet for a change I feel he done a great job and for a man who works as a janitor cleaning up after 1000's of kids isn't no easy job and over all the years of hard work he put in at a low paying job he earned this win so back off him your pissed because you probably have no talent other then picking your nose and eating it.
P.s. I would go see him in a heart beat he is an amazing singer.
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You are so right Amen to you
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You would actually pay money to see him in concert? I don't think when it comes down to it that many people will pay money to go see him. He has no stage presence and he's not that good. Mediocre at best. It was his story that people responded to.
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R
Hmmm--Seem a little resentful that your favorite act didn't win. That's life. Singers are big draws in Las Vegas shows--especially an amazing person with a humble backstory like Richard's. If you want to see hilarious acts like Mr. Pants, Tape Face, and the Parmesan Cheese singer, try one of the off-the-strip casinos in Vegas. They actually have some great shows. Alternatively, there are some really excellent circuses around that have dog acts, muscle man acts, and aerial acts. Last year a fantastic dog act won. This season, a full 70% of the vote went to Richard Goodall. What does that tell you? Tells me that right now we are an exceptionally compassionate society who wants to see the little guy succeed--especially after all the insults coming toward average Americans by obnoxious big mouth, rich politicians.
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I love Vegas and I love dogs but would not pay to see a dog show in vegas even though that act was amazing. I would certainly pay to see Richard Goodall
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