When Richard Goodall finished singing his cover of Journey’s hit song “Don’t Stop Believin'” “America’s Got Talent,” He couldn’t believe what was happening.
Goodall received the golden buzzer on the season premiere, and told Fox News Digital, “I never, even remotely, imagined that what happened would happen.”
When he finished, standing ovation While interacting with the audience and judges, he recalled the feeling of speaking with Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum.
“For you to be that person on stage, talking to people that you’ve looked up to for years, it’s very surreal,” he said. “I mean, you’re actually here. You’re living what you’re seeing on television. So, it’s very surreal.”
Richard Goodall sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” on “America’s Got Talent” and won the Golden Buzzer Award from Heidi Klum. (Trey Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
He said he could barely remember what he had said With Vergara and Mandel, because he was completely surprised by Klum’s Golden Buzzer advancement.
Goodall said, “To be honest, when I was singing, Heidi looked at me and was talking to Howie, now I know what she was saying. But when I was on stage, you can’t hear – you can’t hear what’s going on over the microphone, you know? So, I figured she didn’t like me.”
“And I thought, well, he didn’t do me ‘X’… and it looked like I might get three yeses… I thought, well, you know, I’ll probably get three yeses… maybe I’ll move on.”
He said, “The thing is, when he pressed the buzzer, there was a huge bang… and when I looked up and my mouth was open… nothing was really going through my mind. All I was thinking was I got away with this, I got away with this.”
Goodall told Fox News Digital that for a moment she worried Heidi Klum “didn’t like me” before she pressed the golden buzzer. (Trey Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
“The interview (with the judges) was the hardest part for me. When the music started playing, I was in my zone… and then when I finished the last big note, I stepped back and patted my chest, and I, I couldn’t sing any more. I literally left it all on stage.”
When a contestant on “America’s Got Talent” earns the Golden Buzzer, This means they all advance past the other audition rounds and go straight to the live shows. Each judge can only use this once per season.
WATCH: ‘America’s Got Talent’ singing janitor thought Heidi Klum didn’t like him before she hit the Golden Buzzer
The “AGT” honor has given Goodall a lot of attention in his hometown, which he appreciates, even if the “mob” is getting on him.
“I can’t go to Dollar General anymore. I certainly can’t go to Walmart,” he said.
Because of his newfound fame, Goodall said he “can’t go to Dollar General anymore. I certainly can’t go to Walmart.” (Trey Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
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He said, “They’re feeling the same thing I am. So it’s amazing. It’s really amazing.”
Goodall, 55, has worked as a janitor at a school in Terra Haute, Indiana, for 23 years, and has impressed children for years with her singing ability.
Unfortunately, Goodall wasn’t able to celebrate with students this year as her episode aired just a week after the school summer holidays. Still, she was cheered on on social media.
He said one student’s mother shared a TikTok of her daughter’s tearful reaction, saying she “deserved the golden buzzer.” Goodall said he plans to meet her soon and give her a gift for her support.
Goodall has been singing for students at his school for years, but he started getting some attention on social media before he appeared on “AGT.” (NBC/America’s Got Talent)
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Videos of Goodall’s singing are what brought him to the area. The focus of “AGT” First, he was approached about appearing on the show a few years ago, but things didn’t work out.
He steadily gained more attention and even made a video Reposted by Mandel on TikTok last year. A producer from the show contacted her, and a few months later, Goodall boarded a plane to Los Angeles to audition for the show.
WATCH: ‘America’s Got Talent’ Golden Buzzer winner Richard Goodall adjusts to newfound attention
But despite the attention she receives from students, strangers and others, Goodall remains humble.
“I’m just me,” he said. “I’m not doing anything different than I am any other day and just getting all this attention and recognition and it’s not too much for me. I’m enjoying it, but I think people…people are looking for some good in the world right now.”
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He added: “And, when they see me and they see me taking the shot… I just go out there and sing. I’ve been doing this for 23 years. I’ve sung for the kids every year, I’m not doing anything different than I was doing before. So my mind is still trying to understand what exactly is going on?”
As for the $1 million grand prize and the opportunity to be the main attraction in Las Vegas, Goodall isn’t focusing on either of those prospects right now.
“The way I look at it, if I leave the school corporation, I now have a different platform, and it’s changed from a saucer to a plate. And depending on how well I do, it could become a meat platter or a plate you put watermelon on in the middle of summer. But I have no expectations for that. I’m happy with the saucer. If you give me the plate, I’ll do my best to make everybody proud.”
Among the things he hopes to highlight through his new platform are the “little things” he does every day to teach students he passes through the halls about life.
Goodall’s focus isn’t on the big prize, but rather on continuing to teach students the “little things” on the big stage. (Trey Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
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“Being a janitor or a custodian, you have a certain platform,” Goodall said. “That means, the kids love you. You love them. They know you’re probably the most polite person in the whole school. And, as a custodian, a janitor, I teach them the little things … ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘No, sir.’ ‘Please.’ ‘Thank you.’
“And it’s the little things. And I’m not a teacher. I mean, this shouldn’t need to be said, but you can teach people little things that will help in life and those things are immeasurable.”
