Three months after a viral school hallway video, a Terre Haute janitor walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage and sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Richard Goodall didn’t just earn a Golden Buzzer that night—he went on to win the $1 million grand prize in Season 19, and his life has been anything but ordinary since. This article tracks what happened to the “Singing Janitor” after the confetti fell: his new music, his surprising decision to keep mopping floors for months, and the car gifted by a country star.
Last checked: 2026-07-17
Name: Richard Goodall · Known as: The Singing Janitor · Achievement: Winner of America’s Got Talent Season 19 · Prize:
Three months after a viral school hallway video, a Terre Haute janitor walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage and sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Richard Goodall didn’t just earn a Golden Buzzer that night—he went on to win the $1 million grand prize in Season 19, and his life has been anything but ordinary since. This article tracks what happened to the “Singing Janitor” after the confetti fell: his new music, his surprising decision to keep mopping floors for months, and the car gifted by a country star.
million · Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana · New song: Long Time ComingSnapshot: Richard Goodall’s post‑AGT milestones
- Richard Goodall won America’s Got Talent Season 19 in the finale broadcast on September 24, 2024 (USA Today).
- As winner, Goodall took home the $1,000,000 grand prize, the standard top award for AGT champions (AOL).
- Goodall released his first original single, “Long Time Coming,” on August 29, 2025 (Good Housekeeping).
- Goodall married Angie Vanoven on September 4, 2024, one day after performing in the AGT finals (TV Insider).
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-17.
Sources reviewed: local journalism (Indiana news outlets, NEA Today), neutral review platforms (Good Housekeeping, TV Insider), reputable entertainment news (USA Today, Fox News, NBC, AOL, Yahoo Entertainment, Times of India), IMDb news, and the Wikipedia biography.
This article is based entirely on publicly reported information. We did not conduct an on‑site visit, interview the subject, or independently verify the claims. Any forward-looking statements about film development or touring schedules are attributed to the original reporting.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Richard Goodall |
| Known as | The Singing Janitor |
| Achievement | Winner of America’s Got Talent Season 19 |
| Prize | $1 million |
| Hometown | Terre Haute, Indiana |
| New song | “Long Time Coming” (released August 29, 2025) |
| Car gift | From Walker Hayes |
Richard Goodall: personal and career specs
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Richard Goodall |
| Nickname | “Singing Janitor,” “Mr. Richard” |
| Occupation (pre‑AGT) | School janitor at West Vigo Elementary / West Vigo High School, Terre Haute, Indiana |
| AGT Season | 19 (winner, 2024) |
| Golden Buzzer awarded by | Heidi Klum |
| Audition song | “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey) |
| Prize package | $1 million + Kia EV9 (reported) |
| Spouse | Angie Vanoven (married September 4, 2024) |
| Debut single | “Long Time Coming” (August 29, 2025) |
| Car gift recipient | Gifted a car by country singer Walker Hayes |
| Post‑win employment | Continued as school janitor through mid‑2025; retired from school system June 26, 2026 (per Good Housekeeping) |
What happened to Richard Goodall from America’s Got Talent?
Richard Goodall’s AGT journey began with a YouTube clip. Someone filmed him singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” in a school talent show in 2022, and the video went viral, catching the attention of America’s Got Talent producers (Yahoo Entertainment). He auditioned for Season 18 but did not advance far before returning for Season 19 and winning the whole competition.
The AGT win
When Goodall auditioned again in Season 19, he sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and received Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, sending him directly to the live shows (NEA Today). He followed that with performances of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” to reach the finale (NEA Today). In the grand finale, he sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” again—this time alongside Journey guitarist Neal Schon, calling it a “bucket list” moment (Fox News Digital).
The finale aired September 24, 2024, and Goodall was named the winner, defeating the Israeli dog‑and‑human dance duo Roni Sagi and Rhythm (AOL). “I go into every single section of the show with no expectations, and so when he called my name, I was just flabbergasted,” Goodall told Gold Derby.
“I go into every single section of the show with no expectations, and so when he called my name, I was just flabbergasted.”
Richard Goodall, speaking with Gold Derby
Life after the show
Goodall returned to Terre Haute after the win and, to the surprise of many, went back to his job as a school janitor. In a June 2025 interview with NBC Insider, he said, “I’m still at the school, but things are going on behind the scenes, you know, some concerts are popping up… I’ll continue to work at the school until, you know, I can’t anymore” (NBC Insider). That same month, Yahoo Entertainment reported that Goodall was still posting Instagram videos of himself cleaning the cafeteria (Yahoo Entertainment).
How much money did Richard Goodall win from America’s Got Talent?
Prize details
The winner’s grand prize on America’s Got Talent Season 19 was $1,000,000, paid in annual installments over 40 years (the standard AGT payout structure) (USA Today). Along with the cash, international reports also noted Goodall received a Kia EV9 as part of the prize package (Times of India).
How he spent it
Goodall has not publicly disclosed detailed spending plans. In interviews, he mentioned that the prize allowed him to pay off debts and help his family, but he remained focused on continuing his work at the school. “My life has been transformed,” he told NEA Today, adding that he looked forward to “the biggest welcoming party” when he returned to West Vigo.
The bottom line: The $1 million prize gave Goodall financial freedom, but he was careful not to let sudden wealth change his daily routines—at least not right away.
Who gave Richard Goodall a car?
Walker Hayes’ gift
Country singer Walker Hayes gifted Goodall a car after his Golden Buzzer performance on AGT. The gesture went viral on social media, with Hayes posting a video congratulating Goodall and promising a vehicle. Neither Hayes nor Goodall have publicly specified the make and model, but the gift was confirmed by multiple outlets covering Goodall’s story (Times of India, TV Insider).
“I often wake up feeling like the luckiest man in the whole world!”
Richard Goodall, announcing his debut single on Instagram, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
The car model
Detailed specifications of the car have not been released. It remains one of the few unconfirmed details in Goodall’s otherwise well‑documented post‑win life.
What does Richard Goodall do now?
Music career
Goodall released his debut original single, “Long Time Coming,” on August 29, 2025, on all major streaming platforms (Good Housekeeping 2025). He teased the release on Instagram, writing, “Many fans are asking what I will do next… I often wake up feeling like the luckiest man in the whole world!”
In September 2025, Goodall returned to the AGT stage for the Season 20 finale, where he performed “Long Time Coming” again with Journey’s Neal Schon and spent time advising the new crop of finalists (IMDb News).
Retirement from janitor job
After insisting for over a year that he would keep his custodial job while pursuing music, Goodall announced on June 26 (context‑implied 2026) that he was retiring from the school system. Good Housekeeping reported the career shift in an emotional Instagram update, also revealing that Goodall’s “janitor to singer” life story is being adapted into a film by Everard Entertainment and Mad Chance (Good Housekeeping 2026, citing Deadline).
“I’m still at the school, but things are going on behind the scenes… I’ll continue to work at the school until, you know, I can’t anymore.”
Richard Goodall, to NBC Insider (September 2024)
By mid‑2026, Goodall had fully transitioned to full‑time singer, with a single out, a film deal in development, and regular concert appearances.
Timeline: Richard Goodall’s journey
- September 4, 2024 — Goodall marries Angie Vanoven, one day after performing in the AGT finals (TV Insider).
- September 24, 2024 — AGT Season 19 finale: Goodall is named winner and receives the $1 million grand prize (AOL).
- Mid‑2025 — Goodall continues working as a school janitor while taking concert bookings (NBC Insider).
- August 29, 2025 — Debut single “Long Time Coming” released (Good Housekeeping).
- September 24, 2025 — Returns to AGT Season 20 finale to perform with Neal Schon (IMDb News).
- June 26, 2026 — Retires from school system; film adaptation announced (Good Housekeeping 2026).
How Richard Goodall compares with previous AGT winners
| Aspect | Richard Goodall (Season 19) | Terry Fator (Season 2) | Kodi Lee (Season 14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnings | $1 million grand prize | $1 million grand prize | $1 million grand prize |
| New career | Full‑time singer, film deal in development | Headline Las Vegas residency at the Mirage | Continues touring and recording, performing at major venues |
| Hometown | Terre Haute, Indiana | Dallas, Texas | Lake Elsinore, California |
| Notable performance | “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey) with Golden Buzzer | Impression medley of country icons | “A Song for You” (Leon Russell) – emotional ballad |
en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, yahoo.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, imdb.com, nbc.com
Frequently asked questions about Richard Goodall
Is Richard Goodall still alive?
Yes. Richard Goodall is alive and actively performing and releasing music as of 2026.
Did Richard Goodall retire from his janitor job?
Yes. He retired from the school system on June 26 (implied 2026), more than a year after winning AGT, to focus on his music career and film project (Good Housekeeping 2026).
What songs did Richard Goodall perform on America’s Got Talent?
He auditioned with “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), received a Golden Buzzer, and later performed “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor) and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” (Michael Bolton). In the finale he reprised “Don’t Stop Believin’” with Journey’s Neal Schon (NEA Today, Fox News).
What is Richard Goodall’s new song?
His debut original single is titled “Long Time Coming,” released on August 29, 2025 (Good Housekeeping 2025).
Where is Richard Goodall from?
He is from Terre Haute, Indiana, and worked as a janitor at West Vigo Elementary and West Vigo High School (NEA Today).
How did Richard Goodall get the nickname “Singing Janitor”?
The nickname arose when a video of him singing during a school talent show went viral, highlighting his day job as a school custodian (NEA Today).
Our take on Richard Goodall’s post‑AGT story
For AGT fans and music enthusiasts, Goodall’s journey offers a refreshing counter‑narrative to the typical winner’s rush to Las Vegas. He balanced the spotlight with his community identity, kept his day job for nearly two years, and only pivoted to full‑time music when a concrete career path—a single, a film deal—materialized. Readers looking for an inspirational story, especially Indiana residents, will appreciate that Goodall’s humility and work ethic defined his rise as much as his voice. The film adaptation in the works suggests his story has only begun to be told.
Sources cited
All information sourced from cited references within the article.