Richard Goodall may have saved his best performance for last as the 55-year-old singer took the stage in the *America’s Got Talent* finals. A fan favorite from season 19, Goodall wowed the audience with a powerful rendition of Journey’s 1983 hit “Faithfully,” a Billboard Hot 100 track from the band’s *Frontiers* album.
Dressed in a sharp all-black outfit and a black flat cap, Goodall delivered an emotional and technically impressive performance, hitting every high note with ease. Accompanied by a full band, his performance resonated deeply with both the crowd and judges.
By the end of his performance, Goodall received a standing ovation from everyone in the room, including all four judges. Heidi Klum was quick to praise him, saying, “You are an incredible man—so humble, so kind. But when you step up to that microphone, you transform into a rockstar.” She added, “I really want you to win this, Richard.”
Simon Cowell expressed similar admiration, telling Goodall, “From the moment you first stepped on the stage, I could feel the energy. Right now, we all need a hero, and you are that hero.”
Howie Mandel went a step further, boldly predicting, “I think you just sang your way to $1 million.”
Earlier in the semifinals, Goodall delivered another knockout performance, this time with Survivor’s classic rock anthem “Eye of the Tiger” from *Rocky III*. His powerful voice and heartfelt performances, which have also included Michael Bolton’s hit “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” have earned him a place in the hearts of millions of fans.
Goodall, a humble school janitor by day, shared his gratitude for the journey, saying during the semifinals, “I’ve been singing in the hallways for 23 years. I know how lucky I am to be here, and I don’t take it for granted.”
He is one of 10 finalists competing for the grand prize, going up against acts such as dance groups AIRFOOTWORKS and Brent Street, the acrobatic Hakuna Matata Acrobats, comedian Learnmore Jonasi, quick-change artist Solange Kardinaly, and fellow singer Dee Dee Simon, among others.
Several of the finalists earned Golden Buzzers during the quarterfinals, including AIRFOOTWORKS (Howie Mandel), Hakuna Matata Acrobats (Sofia Vergara), Sebastián & Sonia (Simon Cowell), and Dee Dee Simon (Heidi Klum). The remaining finalists were selected during the semifinals.
Now, it’s up to America to decide. The winner will be revealed on the September 24 finale, which promises an exciting lineup of guest performances from stars like Simone Biles, Michael Bublé, Neal Schon, Steve Aoki, Gabriel Iglesias, Andra Day, the Detroit Youth Choir, and members of Journey.
