Janitor Richard Goodall’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” Performance Earns Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer
Richard Goodall walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2024 as a school janitor from Indiana with a lifelong love of singing. He chose Journey’s iconic “Don’t Stop Believin’” for his audition—and what happened next became one of Season 19’s memorable Golden Buzzer moments.
Heidi Klum ultimately pressed the Golden Buzzer for Goodall, sending him directly into the live rounds of the competition.
Richard Goodall Takes the AGT Stage
Goodall was 55 when he appeared during the Season 19 premiere. Before performing, he explained that he worked as a janitor and described himself as someone who simply enjoyed singing and making people happy.
His journey to the AGT stage was also unusual. According to the official AGT video description, the audition was his first-ever plane ride, taking him to Los Angeles for the opportunity to perform in front of the judges.
For his audition, Goodall selected Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” one of the best-known songs in the band’s catalog.
His Voice Surprises the Judges
Goodall appeared nervous before beginning the performance. But after he started singing, the atmosphere in the theater quickly changed.
Coverage of the audition reported that the audience rose to its feet, while all four judges—Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara—also gave him a standing ovation.
Simon Cowell described the performance as special and told Goodall that he believed America would love him.
The reaction was especially meaningful for Goodall, who became emotional after finishing the song.
Heidi Klum Hits the Golden Buzzer
After the judges shared their reactions, Heidi Klum stepped forward and awarded Richard Goodall the Golden Buzzer.
Klum told Goodall that he had made their night and that his performance had been an amazing surprise. She then used her Golden Buzzer to send him forward in the competition.
The official America’s Got Talent YouTube channel later described the audition as Richard Goodall receiving the Golden Buzzer for “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
From Janitor to AGT Winner
The Golden Buzzer was only the beginning of Goodall’s 2024 AGT journey.
He returned for the live rounds and performed Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” in the quarterfinals, dedicating the performance to his fiancée, Angie.
He then performed Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” in the semifinals before singing Journey’s “Faithfully” in the finals.
At the Season 19 finale, Goodall returned to “Don’t Stop Believin’”, this time performing with Neal Schon and members of Journey.
Goodall ultimately won America’s Got Talent Season 19.
Final Thoughts
Richard Goodall’s AGT story began with a simple audition: a school janitor standing on one of television’s biggest talent-show stages and singing a Journey classic.
His performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” earned standing ovations and Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, giving him the opportunity to continue competing in the live shows.
What followed was an extraordinary run through the competition, culminating in Goodall being crowned the Season 19 winner of America’s Got Talent.
