‘America’s Got Talent’ Champion Richard Goodall Shares Big Update 5 Months After Win
America’s Got Talent winner Richard Goodall has been opening up about his life five months after his amazing Season 19 win. The school janitor stunned judges and viewers alike with his amazing vocals, and received the Golden Buzzer in the first round from judge Heidi Klum.
Despite his success on the show, Goodall says he never intended to become famous and since his triumph has returned to work as a school janitor in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Before appearing on AGT Goodall would sing around the hallways of the school where he worked and eventually, someone filmed him performing Journey‘s “Don’t Stop Believin'” in 2022 and it went viral. This led him to audition for Season 18 of AGT, where he got dropped in the early rounds. But, everything worked out for him in Season 19.
The talent show winner recently appeared on Chris Carrion’s podcast, Tell Us About Yourself, to talk about life after winning the biggest talent competition in the world.
Carrion asked the singer if he ever had any aspirations of becoming a professional singer before auditioning for AGT and his answer is surprising.
“Never at any point did I ever have any aspirations to perform. I mean, I’ve always wanted to perform, but it’s never been a drive of me to be famous or be noticed,” he said.
“It’s more of a ‘music and people’ thing than a ‘hey, here I am, notice me type thing.'”
“Each song that I sing is a time capsule into people’s lives. It takes you back to a certain point in time,” he said. “That’s what all of this is about.”
Goodall said he is very thankful for the money that came out of winning the show (the champ’s prize totals $1 million), but he cares more about the music and people. “Music helps me forget about what is going on in my day to day life. Listening to music gives us a chance to take a breath.”
The singer said that being on AGT has been “life-altering, life-changing.” However, he still works at a school as a janitor. Sometimes, he has to take time off for concerts and performances. Goodall shared that he used all of his time off to be on the competition show, but his job was very cool about it. He told Carrion that some people look at him differently after his time on the show, but he assures them that he is still the same person. Despite his fame, Goodall said he can’t see himself not working at the school, but if his concert schedule picks up he will have to make a decision.
He said that one decision changed his life and encouraged people to make time for what they love.
“If it’s something that you love and you’re passionate about, you have to make time,” he said.
Goodall also shared that the judges – Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara – were all very supportive of him while he was on the show. Everyone in the crew also encouraged him and treated him like a friend.
While on the show, he sang “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” by Michael Bolton, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, “Faithfully” by Journey,” and then got to sing “Don’t Stop Believin'” with Journey on the finale.
Now, Goodall is living a normal life with his wife, Angie Vanoven, in Pasadena, California, whom he married a week before the Season 19 finale.
The singer ended the podcast by saying that he has “no expectations” on his next gig or where his career will take him next.
Tell Us About Yourself is a podcast that interviews game and reality show contestants. New episodes drop every Saturday.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
So he lives in Cali now but still works as a janitor in Indiana? No I don’t think so. Loved Richard but this makes zero sense.
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I don’t think people read a word of what they write. And editors??!! Forget it.
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That's the exact same "huh? How's that work?" question I had when I read that!
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Editors no longer exist with social media platforms.
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Clearly, AI click bait with a hickey
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R
Right after he won AGT he and his new wife lived in Pasadena, CA for a while where he talked on a podcast.He is now back home in Terra Haute, IN now and back working as a janitor at a school. He does still travel to play gigs from time to time. Not to mention he also won the $1,000,000. Prize.and a new car. He just loves his job so whatever he gets paid isn't the most important reason for him to work
He loves his work and his music.
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Maybe he married in Cali, but actually lives in Indiana?? Or maybe he lost his job with the new wave of governmental workers firing. Janitors in schools are hired by Dpt of Education, that was dismantled and workers fired. The main thing is that he keeps humble, and he seems too shy to enjoy being public.
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P
I absolutely love seeing ordinary people finally get their time to shine and knock it outta the park. Such an inspiring narrative when normal folks realize a dream they never imagined would come to fruition. 👏🏻
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C
I am glad to hear he is staying humble. Thanks for the update. Seems like a nice guy with a great talent and enjoys life!
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Iv know him for a long time he's always been that way I kept telling him that he needed to go on agt for awhile im happy for him
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If you don't like Richard,take a hike.
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And preferably in one of the national parks by your self, lol
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He got married in Pasadena cali, and resides in Terra Haute Indiana. AGT is filmed in Los Angeles
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"Now, Goodall is living a normal life with his wife, Angie Vanoven, in Pasadena, California, whom he married a week before the Season 19 finale."
It reads that he lives in Pasadena, California. Doesn't say where he got married.
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P
The underdog brought joy to my heart with soulfulness tunes from my era❣️You are truly awesome ❣️
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B
I think that was an error. He spent time in Pasadena during taping & after he won returned to Indiana and his old job..
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I think the song Rock and Roll Dreams Come True by the late singer Meatloaf would be perfect for him. Hope this gets to him.
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C
If he is still a janitor in Terre Haute Indiana, how long is that commute from Pasadena California?
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O
Richard doesn't live far from us. He doesn't live in Pasadena. He married Angie there. He still lives in Terre Haute and works as Janitor at West Vigo Middle school. He's a very wonderful and humble man. The kind of friend that would give the shirt off his back. He's a wonderful person.
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He works in Indiana but lives in CA? Where is the editor of this article?
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This is what AGT is all about, the common, very talent people, not the ones that have been performing in Circus around the world, not the ones that have been performing in high pay jobs for years. or on stage , it is for the common raw talent to be discovered, But the producers of AGT, look to the big bucks, the ratings, it is no longer a talent show, it is AGT got talent, bring in the performers that have the best stores, its about ratings , in todays market its just about as much as management, agents, publicly, PR, where did Taylor Swift, come from, and so many of todays stars, pure talent, hey how many "performers" are as good, talent wise, as the top of the charts folks, AGT got talent nice video with high ratings, but how many Golden Buzzers, are in the big time , today, What happens after they win,AGT talent for the year. ?????But then a million dollar payout, is not bad pocket money, ( have your research how much the winner really winds up with. ) Have fun, watch the show, but now and then think about what's really driving it.
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I am so glad to hear he is staying true to himself.
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LOCAL SCHOOLS HIRE JANITORS NOT the Federal Government Department of Education! Richard is soo inspiring. We need a lot more people like him.
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G
Sigma cold guy
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C
Oh let’s just turn this into a political issue.
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P
I think the whole show is rigged. He took away a chance from some very talented acts that would have been a hit on Vegas for sure. What a waste. And then Amazon makes a commercial about him!
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O
Love him so much! He sounds like Steve Perry. Hopefully, Journey will use him while touring.
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Houses start at $1.5 M in Pasadena
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Thought he might have invested in some new teeth
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Shame you can't fix your ugly character...no money could help you.
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Who the hell cares
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Evidently you don't because you took the time to make your moronic statement. Don't be jealous..
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Then why did you listen or read the article? If you don't care?
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Got tired of the Guy long ago. Spend some of your winnings on new clothes, as all other winners have done,
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O
You sound lovely. He could and he did. You can’t and you couldn’t.
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Agreed you sound so negative and jealous.You also need to move to another country because it's people like you that don't and won't ever understand what America is about. And we don't want you HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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O
That's pretty rude.. Guess we could tell you to spend some money on a new attitude.. Now, get lost jealous hater.
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