On May 28th, Richard Goodall embodied the song he sang for the America’s Got Talent judges; Don’t Stop Believing.
As he told the country, “belting” out songs that came out of his “Radio Shack stereo” is something he grew up doing. But when it came time to finding a job, he got practical.
“So I become a janitor at Chauncey Rose Middle School, which is only three blocks away from my house.” And it was those middle school kids who he cleaned up after day after day that inspired him to take a leap of faith.
“The kids would hear me sing, and they tell me that I’ve got talent,” Goodall shared. “That’s why I’m here. That’s why I got on a plane.”
As he made his way on stage, Goodall was visibly nervous and the judges were nervous for him as well.
“I hope he’s good,” judge Simon Cowell whispered to judge Sofia Vergara. “I really do.”
“I know. I hope so,” she retorted.
And then, like he did so many times before in his home in Indiana, Goodall belted it out. WATCH:
After the first note, the entire audience was on their feet.
Goodall was overcome with emotion after finishing his performance as the judges praised his talent.
Cowell called Goodall him his “hero,” saying “I think America is going to love you.”
Vergara called him “an amazing surprise,” while Howie Mandell said Goodall “cleaned up.”
And that’s when Heidi Klum hit the Golden Buzzer after Goodall “knocked me off my feet.”
“Oh, my gosh, you guys. I’ve never even been on a plane,” he told the audience before calling his fiancée. “This was not on my radar to come to California. It’s just a dream come true.”
For the last 23 years, Roger was known as Chauncey Rose Middle School’s janitor, and now, he’s a beacon of hope and a reminder to never give up on your dreams.