For over two decades, elementary school students in Terre Haute, Ind., knew Richard Goodall as “Mr. Richard” and “singing janitor.” Now, the “singing janitor” has gained national fame as the champion of Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent.” NEA Today caught up with Goodall after his big win.
When did you first start singing in the hallways of West Vigo Elementary? What motivated you to start singing?
Richard Goodhall: It started in elementary schools. West Vigo is just my latest one. I've been in about three or four different schools, and I have sung pretty much all my life.
I've been a janitor for 23 years and on Veterans Day, I would sing “God Bless the USA.” 2022 was a different year. Teachers asked me if I wanted to sing. I said, “Sure!” And they said, “This time, just pick whatever song you want.” I picked, “Don't Stop Believin.’” The video took off and then I got noticed by AGT [America’s Got Talent], and here I am today.
What was it about your performance at that 2022 talent show that you think spoke to so many people?
RG: You know, I don't know. It was filmed on a Thursday afternoon. That Friday morning, I was scrubbing the floor because it was just before school was getting out for the summer. That morning, it was at 100,000 views. By the end of the weekend, it was at a million. When it reached 3 million, Journey and Steve Perry commented on it. Steve Perry put it on all of his social media.
And America's Got Talent was the right fit for you.
RG: It was. I was supposed to be a part of Season 18 and for whatever reason I got dropped. After Season 18 was over, [AGT judge] Howie Mandel found the initial video and he reposted it on his TikTok. His bald head, me standing up on the top of him, and the caption below that said, "Needs to be on AGT.”
Then a senior producer reached out and asked if I wanted to be on the show. I said, “My shot’s gone.” He said, “I can't believe we dropped the ball on this.” Four months later—I’ve never been west of Missouri. I've never been on a plane—they put plane tickets on my phone, and I said, “You’ve got to go; you’ve got to get your shot.”
What was your school community's reaction to your win on America's Got Talent?
RG: I think people—not just Terre Haute, not just Indiana, Illinois, Ohio—people in general just needed a boost. A pick-me-up, you know. And the one wonderful thing that I've enjoyed out of all this is there were families sitting in front of the TV again, rooting for me.
My hometown has just been over-the-moon. I'm getting ready to walk into my grocery store and I'll have to take about three or four selfies before I can actually get through the line. And to me, that's great.
What’s next for you?
RG: Sky is the limit. Opportunities are coming in, and life for me and Angie [his wife] is unscripted. So, we'll see what happens.
