From the “singing janitor” to AGT semi-finalist

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Richard Goodall has gone from the “singing janitor” on social media to the America’s Got Talent semi-finals.

It has been two years since we were introduced to the “singing janitor”, Richard Goodall.

Before America’s Got Talent, Goodall had never been on a plane before. Now he is an America’s Got Talent semi-finalist and WTWO has been with him every step of the way.

Singing to students was a hobby for Goodall as he worked through his day as a custodian at Vigo County School Corporation. He was told daily that he had talent, but it wasn’t until a video was posted on Tik Tok, that millions of people confirmed it.

She come up with the kindergarten teachers and they said it is at 100,000 views and I’m like is that good. She had less than a thousand followers. By the end of the weekend, it was a million.

Richard Goodall

The success of the video earned Goodall an audition on America’s Got Talent. He boarded a plane for the first time, flew out to Hollywood, California, and performed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”. The entire audience was in awe from the start.

Richard received a standing ovation from the crowd but left with an even bigger prize. The “golden buzzer”.

This meant Goodall would get an opportunity to sing at the America’s Got Talent live shows for a chance at a $1 million prize.

To show Terre Haute’s support, WTWO hosted a send-off party before he left. Members of the community said seeing one of their own on that stage brought emotion and inspiration.

Supporting someone who is going after their dreams. I saw him on TV, it just brought tears to my eyes, I’m not kidding. I thought, if he is from here, I have to see him. We’re rooting for him.

Terre Haute community members

Before taking his talents to the West Coast, Richard blessed the hundreds gathered with a performance. But it was country singer Walker Hayes, who had recently performed with Richard, that decided he should be the one getting the blessing. He arrived at the celebration in a brand-new car and then gifted it to him.

At the live shows, Richard performed a live rendition of Michael Bolton’s “How am I Supposed to Live Without You”. Viewers then voted and contestants were chosen to move on to the semi-final round. America voted for Richard Goodall.

After all the success, Richard says he is still the same guy he was before all of this. Friends of Richard say, what you see on TV is his true self and nobody deserves this success more.

He is genuinely as he appears on TV. Very humble, very nice, just an all-around good guy. No one deserves it more than Richard.

Tom Greenberg – Friend and Band Member

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