Indiana janitor Richard Goodall who first went viral on TikTok is now competing on AGT 19. Millions of people worldwide saw and listened to his performance, which even got to the original singer’s ears. Who is his wife? How old is he now? Is he on Instagram?
Find out more as you scroll down this article here.
Meet Richard Goodall, Indiana Janitor On AGT 19
Season 19 of America’s Got Talent kicked off with two Golden Buzzers including an Indiana Janitor Richard Goodall. Before taking the stage, Richard mentioned how much he loved music as a child and how much he listened to it all the time. As he grew older and needed money, he accepted a position as a janitor at a middle school that was only three streets away from his residence.
Richard would frequently bust out some jams in the corridors to pass the long hours, much to the joy of the students.
It was evident to everyone in attendance that Goodall was bashful and a touch anxious to perform in front of what was undoubtedly his largest audience ever as he walked the stage to respond to some of Simon Cowell’s opening questions. But as soon as he heard the opening note of Journey’s 1981 smash song “Don’t Stop Believin’,” all of his nerves seemed to vanish.
The quiet janitor unexpectedly hit the song’s notes with the skill of an accomplished professional singer, shocking the judges and the audience alike. The crowd was quickly up and dancing, with a few even breaking down in tears.
“It’s a good ‘off-balance,’ but until you actually do something, you don’t know if it’s right for you or not, ” Richard said.
The most moving scene, though, was when Indiana janitor Richard went on stage and won one of Judge Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzers at the end of the show.
“Golden Buzzer [winners] are an elite group of people. I never in a million years expected to be in that class,” Richard told PEOPLE exclusively. “And I still can’t believe Heidi did that!”
“I was that kid up in my bedroom with the Radio Shack stereo,” he said. “My favorite thing was just to sit up and listen to my music, and I just belt it out. Eventually, I was like, I gotta find me a job. So I become [sic] a janitor at Chauncey Rose Middle School, which is only three blocks away from my house.”
Despite his 23 years of employment at the school, Richard has always loved to sing.
“I’m not a fancy person. I take out the trash. I wipe off the tables, I sweep the floors. I’m just having fun and I’m trying to make people happy,” he explained. “The kids would hear me sing and they tell me that I I’ve got talent. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I got on a plane.”
“When I took off from Indianapolis, I felt that front wheel come off the ground and you have this floating [feeling], you’re no longer stable. And that’s what this whole experience is like right now,” he added. “It’s a good off-balance but until you actually do something, you don’t know if it’s right for you or not.”
Richard entered the stage, introduced himself to Heidi and the other judges, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara, and then launched into a stirring performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Almost everyone was taken aback by the occasion, particularly since Richard’s voice resembled former Journey frontman Steve Perry in both tone and quality.
“Richard, you are my hero! Cause that was special, genuinely special. I think America is gonna love you,” Simon said, as Sofía added, “That was spectacular, that was fun, this was an amazing surprise. You were perfect to come to AGT.”
Speaking to PEOPLE following his Golden Buzzer win, Richard said the title of the song perfectly captures his journey thus far.
“I tried out for AGT in 2009 and didn’t make it past the first round in Chicago… But like the song says, ‘Don’t stop believing!’ How can I tell the kids that and not reach for dreams too?” he says. “The songs I love to sing are timeless, and they give everyone hope. That’s what I really want to do, just give people hope [and encourage them to] never give up.”
“I’m a normal person who does regular things for people. My singing, I have done mostly every year in our schools. Anytime they have asked me to sing I did it,” he added. “To this day, I know how lucky I am. And I’m not taking any of this for granted.”
In 2024, Richard is working as a custodian at West Vigo Middle School.
Richard Goodall Age
In 2024, Richard Goodall is 55 years of age.
Richard Goodall Wife
Patricia Sue Goodall is the spouse of Richard Goodall. On April 2, 1947, Patricia was born into the family of Joseph and Virginia Atkins Grist. But when she was told she had kidney cancer and had to have her kidney removed, the married couple’s lives completely changed. Patricia disclosed that the cancer had spread to every bone in her body, causing excruciating discomfort.
Patricia passed away at the age of 74 on June 21, 2021. She was survived by three children: Allen Goodall, Alicia Dammann (Edward), and Patton Angela Vennard; additionally, she left behind two great-grandchildren and four grandkids. Robert D. Patton, her son, passed away some time ago.
Patricia was a devoted spouse who posted updates about her husband’s planned concerts on Facebook. Richard, for his part, has moved on. He get engaged on January 1st, 2022. He shared a photo of himself with a woman who might become his fiancée in March 2022.
Is Richard Goodall On Instagram?
Richard Goodall uses many social media platforms including TikTok (@rg69rich). He is also available on Instagram (@richard.goodall) and Facebook (@richard.goodall.718).
Related FAQs
-
Where Was Richard Goodall Born?
Richard Goodall was likely born in Indiana which is his current place of residence.
-
How Tall Is Richard Goodall?
Richard Goodall is not quite five feet ten inches tall. He also had a gastric bypass in 2015, which resulted in significant weight loss.
-
When Is Richard Goodall Birthday?
Richard Goodall’s birthday is on 9 October.
