(NBC) — The votes are in and “America’s Got Talent” has crowned its million-dollar winner for this season.
It might have been the winner’s story as much as his talent that captivated “AGT” fans. The season finale produced a true dustrags-to-riches story as Richard Goodall, the 55-year-old Terre Haute, Indiana singer, brought to tears in winning the show’s million-dollar prize.
“I could not control my emotions anymore,” said Goodall. “It’s so amazing.’
A middle school janitor for the past 23 years, Goodall took his first plane ride to Pasadena for a spring audition that shocked almost everyone.
Goodall earned a Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum and his performance racked up more than 100 million views online.
“You would never think, because he’s so quiet,t and then, he belts these notes out,” said Klum.
Goodall continued to impress in the semifinals and last week’s finals now, he’s a champion.
“I’m still the same person,” said Goodall. “My hometown’s over the moon.”
And while it wasn’t Goodall’s job to clean the stage he did sweep up one item afterward — host Terry Crew’s presenter card with Goodall’s name printed inside — a souvenir from a life-changing night.
“Yep, the janitor had to pick it up,” said Goodall. “I wasn’t cleaning the whole floor, but I had to take that one.”
The winner has even more to celebrate — he married his girlfriend, Angie, in California last week after the show’s semi-final round.
The trained dog act Roni and Rhythm came in second to Goodall.
