During the finale performances on Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent, judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara were repeatedly impressed, but there was one contestant that Klum especially cheered on: Richard Goodall,
The school janitor from Terra Haute, Ind., has stunned the judges and — more importantly at this point of the competition — the audience with his covers of heartfelt ’80s songs, such as his latest, Journey’s “Faithfully.”
The in-studio audience stood and swayed, and the judges were universally complimentary, especially Klum who awarded Goodall her Golden Buzzer at his audition.
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“Richard, I have been faithfully the biggest fan since the very, very first day we met, all the way through this competition,” Klum said. “You are such an amazing man. You’re so humble and so kind. You’re also a little bit quiet, but not when you are behind that microphone. Then you’re a big rock star!” She added later, I want you to win this so bad, Richard!”
Two seats over, Cowell approved of Goodall’s performance and he noted the crowd’s enthusiasm.
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“I could feel energy behind me,” Cowell said. “Honestly. From the minute you came on this show, you’ve never crumbled. You haven’t. You’ve risen. And you know what? We all need a hero right now, and you are our hero.”
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Mandel agreed: “You know, not only is he a hero, not only is it great, I will make a prediction right now. I think you just sang yourself one million dollars.”
Goodall was just one of the season’s top 10 acts, all of whom competed fiercely for the show’s grand prize, which will be awarded based on votes from viewers. They can be cast at NBC.com/AGTVote or via the AGT App until 7 a.m. ET/6 a.m. Central on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
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Acts Hakuna Matata Acrobats, singer Dee Dee Simon, aerialists Sebastián & Sonia, Brent Street dance group, quick-change magician Solange Kardinaly, Airfootworks acrobats, comedian Learnmore Jonasi, dog-and-owner dance duo Roni Sagi and Rhythm, and drone act Sky Elements all brought it too.
The episode did not mention this week’s news that Emily Gold, a dancer who competed with Los Osos High School dance team earlier this season, died by suicide.
The winner for the show’s 19th season will be revealed on next week’s finale, a special episode featuring performances by Simone Biles and the Gold Over America Tour, Michael Bublé, Andra Day, Gabriel Iglesias, Neal Schon and members of Journey, Steve Aoki, and the Las Vegas cast of Magic Mike Live. AGT alums the Detroit Youth Choir will also perform. The show airs Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. Central on NBC. It will be preceded by a countdown to the finale at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. Central.
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