Self-proclaimed "singing janitor" Richard Goodall brought home the big win during the America’s Got Talent finale this week, and brought it all full-circle by performing with members of Journey for his victory lap.
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Goodall became a judge and fan favorite on this season’s AGT starting with his "Don't Stop Believin'" audition as well as his stellar renditions of Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" and, finally, Journey's "Faithfully." As he scooped up the top prize this week, Richard was joined on stage by Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon and current drummer Deen Castronovo to celebrate, bringing it all back home with an epic performance.
Goodall had been expecting Schon, who reached out before the finale with a message: "Richard, it's Neal from Journey. I loved your audition, man, and I have a surprise for you. I'm coming to perform with you on the finale. I will see you really soon."
All of this season's judges were fully behind Richard leading up to the official announcement. "You are such an amazing man. You are so humble, you're so kind. You are also a little bit quiet, but not when you are behind the microphone!" Heidi Klum told Goodall during his final round. "Then you are a big rockstar! ... I want you to win this so bad, Richard."
"You are our hero," Simon Cowell gushed, while Howie Mandel added, "I think you just sang yourself $1 million. I believe this is the winner."
This year’s Top 10 AGT acts were:
Richard Goodall (singer) – WINNER
Roni Sagi & Rhythm (dancer and dancing dog)
Sky Elements (aerial drones)
Learnmore Jonasi (stand-up comedian)
Solange Kardinaly (quick-change magician)
Brent Street (dance group)
Hakuna Matata Acrobats (acrobatics group)
AIRFOOTWORKS (dance group)
Dee Dee Simon (singer)
Sebastian and Sonia (aerialists)
“Being who I am, a janitor for 23 years, now singing songs on TV and singing with Journey. I mean, you can’t make that stuff up,” Goodall told Billboard after the finale. “This is beyond surreal. I couldn’t dream up everything that’s happened to me. I mean, there’s a bucket list, and then there’s a bucket list that you didn’t even know existed.”