I've lived in Terre Haute my whole life.

I was that kid up in my bedroom with the Radio Shack stereo.

My favorite thing was just to sit up and listen to my music, and I just belted out, I gotta find me a job.

So I became a janitor at Chauncey Rose Middle School, which is only three blocks away from my house.

Richard Goodall, a humble janitor at West Vigo Middle School in Terre Haute, Indiana, has spent 23 years quietly working just three blocks from his home.

But his extraordinary singing talent was destined for a larger stage, and it was his students who urged him to share his gift with the world.

Richard has become an overnight sensation after his America's Got Talent audition aired, captivating audiences with his incredible vocal talent.

His students, who have long admired his kindness and dedication, are now sharing their cherished memories of him.

Despite the sorrow he's seen in his life, Richard's kind smile never wavers.

Join us as we uncover what America's Got Talent didn't tell you about Richard Goodall.

In the latest season of America's Got Talent, viewers were introduced to Richard Goodall, an unassuming janitor from Indiana who had never even flown before, making his maiden voyage for the audition.

With palpable nerves, he stepped onto the stage, facing the imposing panel of judges

Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel.

The task before him was daunting, performing Journey's iconic Don't Stop Believin' in front of a live audience.

As Richard stood there, admitting his anxiety, a wave of support surged through the crowd.

Their applause a reassuring balm.

It was the spark he needed.

Taking a deep breath, he began his performance, and what followed was nothing short of breathtaking.

His voice soared, filled with raw emotion and undeniable talent, captivating everyone in the auditorium.

When the final note of Richard's singing faded, a moment of stunned silence hung in the air, before the audience erupted into a standing ovation.

The judges, equally moved, rose to their feet, their faces beaming with astonishment and joy.

Among the panel, it was Heidi Klum who delivered the most impactful response.

She praised him with heartfelt admiration, culminating in the momentous gesture.

She slammed the golden buzzer, showering Richard in a cascade of gold and confetti, and sending him directly to the live shows.

This monumental moment was captured and shared on YouTube, where fans echoed the judges' sentiments.

Comments poured in, filled with emotion and admiration.

One viewer, fighting back tears, expressed deep appreciation for Richard's bravery and talent, while another lauded the unknown individual who encouraged him to take that faithful flight.

The consensus was clear.

The good ol' had not only deserved the golden buzzer, but he'd also touched countless hearts, proving that dreams are worth pursuing, no matter the odds.

It won't be wrong to say that Richard's journey on America's Got Talent is one of perseverance and unwavering hope.

In 2009, he auditioned for AGT, but didn't make it past the first round in Chicago.

He also tried his luck with another singing reality show, The Voice.

After participating in a virtual audition for The Voice, Richard received a rejection email from The Voice.

The news left him deeply dejected, so much so that he shared a screenshot of the email on social media, expressing his disappointment.

Despite this setback, Richard's determination remained unshaken.

He announced that he would audition for America's Got Talent once more, though he lowered his expectations this time.

Little did he know that this renewed effort would lead to his golden buzzer moment and a chance to share his amazing talent with the world.

As for his prospects in the competition, Richard remains grounded.

He approaches AGT with no expectations, but that doesn't mean he won't give it his all.

His humility shines through as he reflects on his life as an ordinary person, doing extraordinary things.

Regularly performing at his local schools, whenever asked, Richard cherishes every opportunity to share his gift.

He recognizes his fortune in reaching this point, and is determined not to take any of it for granted.

Richard may have become worldwide famous now, as everyone loves watching AGT, but he tasted little popularity back in the summer of 2022.

He first captured widespread attention with a stunning performance of Journey's Don't

Stop Believing at Davis Park Elementary School's end-of-year program.

The video of his performance went viral.

People were amazed to see a janitor with such an amazing voice.

After this, it was the students at his school who convinced him to take his talent beyond the confines of Terre Haute.

They frequently heard him sing and recognized his exceptional ability, repeatedly telling him he had what it takes to succeed.

Their strong belief in his talent inspired Richard to take a leap of faith, and he auditioned for America's Got Talent again.

In an interview, Richard reflected on his journey, and shared how the encouragement from the students he works with every day was the driving force behind his decision to audition.

Their support and belief in him gave him the confidence to hop on a plane and pursue his dreams.

Apart from his work as a janitor, Richard is also the lead singer of a band called Manipause.

The viral success of his school singing video had an unexpected and thrilling impact on his musical career.

Suddenly, Manipause began receiving numerous calls for gigs, a surprising turn of events that left Richard both shocked and delighted.

With newfound attention, Richard frequently shared updates on his Instagram about the band's performances, detailing their schedule and venues.

The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Audiences who came to see Manipause perform were consistently impressed by Richard's vocal prowess and stage presence, showering him with praise and admiration.

This surge in popularity provided Richard with even more known fans.

He caught the eye of American Idol contestant Rudy Cardenas.

Rudy, impressed by Richard's viral video, reached out and invited to join him for a special performance.

When Richard accepted the invitation and took the stage alongside Rudy, he was nothing short of spectacular.

One probably can't guess, seeing the positive demeanor of Richard, but he'd endured an unimaginable tragedy some time ago.

He lost his wife of over 30 years to cancer, a heart-wrenching battle that left him devastated.

In a poignant Instagram post, Richard shared the depths of his sorrow, revealing how he did everything in his power to save her, but ultimately couldn't prevent her passing.

Despite the profound loss, Richard's journey didn't end in despair.

His good nature led him to find happiness again with Angie.

During his America's Got Talent audition, Richard Goodall mentioned his fiancée, Angie, a beacon of joy in his life.

While the pain of his past is unimaginable, his fans can take solace in seeing Richard's new chapter, filled with love and companionship.

Richard's golden buzzer moment on America's Got Talent was a dream come true, but the financial strain of being a contestant posed a significant challenge for him to consider continuing.

The costs of flights, hotel stays, and other expenses were daunting for him.

Recognizing his immense talent and the hardships he faced, the show's organizers stepped in to cover his travel and accommodation costs.

In addition, they launched a GoFundMe page to support Richard financially.

The campaign quickly gained traction, raising over $19,000 from generous fans and supporters who were moved by his story and his incredible voice.

The outpouring of love and support ensured that Richard could focus on his performance without the burden of financial stress.

With this newfound financial backing and the public's enthusiastic response, Richard is poised for a promising future.

The overwhelming admiration for his talent indicates that he will have a long list of gigs ahead, and people eagerly await the chance to hear his captivating voice live.

For Richard, singing is about more than just music.

It's about offering hope and inspiration.

The timeless songs he loves to perform have the power to uplift and encourage others, and that is his true mission.

To instill hope and remind people never to surrender their dreams.