Not only are outraged “America’s Got Talent” viewers up in arms over who took home the grand prize, but some also believe that the other finalist should have won instead.
Season 19 of the talent competition show “America’s Got Talent” (“AGT”) has come to an end, as the finale episode, in which the winner was revealed, recently aired. What is supposed to be a celebratory time for winner Richard Goodall has unfortunately turned into a firestorm of outrage online. Netizens are disappointed by his victory.
User comment about Richard Goodall (the winner of “AGT”), posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: X/@jtaric82
Standing on each side of beloved TV host Terry Crews, Goodall and fellow finalist act, Roni Sagi and her dog Rhythm, eagerly awaited to hear who would take home the crown. “It has been one of the best seasons I can remember and we have your top two acts,” announced Crews.
Richard Goodall, Terry Crews, Roni Sagi and Rhythm during the “AGT” finale winner reveal, posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
Continuing to build even more suspense, the “White Chicks” star expressed, “From thousands of acts, from all over the world, your votes have brought us to this moment. One act is about to win $1 million. Two incredible acts, one of them is your winner.”
Terry Crews | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
Accompanied by the roaring crowd, suspenseful red stage lights, and music, Crews triumphantly revealed, “The ‘AGT’ champion and winner of $1 million is… Richard Goodall!”
Richard Goodall, Terry Crews, Roni Sagi and Rhythm. | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
As soon as Crews screamed Goodall’s name into the mic, the winner doubled over and held onto his knees, overwhelmed by emotion.
Richard Goodall’s reaction after his name was announced as the winner of “AGT,” posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
Fanfare and gold confetti followed shortly after, pouring down all over the people on stage, the judges, and the extremely lively crowd.
The celebratory energy in the studio after Richard Goodall had won, posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
Unable to contain her excitement, “AGT” judge and supermodel Heidi Klum ran onto the stage to give an emotional Goodall a big hug.
Heidi Klum and Richard Goodall sharing a hug, posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
Joining Klum in showing support for the winner, “AGT” judges and Hollywood stars Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell rose from their seats to give Goodall a standing ovation.
Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell cheering for Richard Goodall, posted on September 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
After Crews asked Goodall how he felt, the victorious contestant answered, “My life has been transformed. Ange, I did it!”
Terry Crews then went over to Klum, who gave Goodall her Golden Buzzer during the competition, to ask her the same question. “I’m so excited for you Richard! Woohoo! I’m so excited! I love you! Thank you, America!” Klum cheered.
Richard Goodall, Terry Crews and Heidi Klum. | Source: YouTube/America’s Got Talent
The warm reception Goodall received on the “AGT” stage is starkly different from the public reaction his win garnered on social media. “He shouldn’t have won. So rigged,” remarked a user on X. Agreeing with the sentiment, another penned, “There’s no way he should have won.”
Goodall is not letting the negative commentary concerning his victory stop him from basking in the glow of his win.
“Awful decision America,” asserted someone else. One Instagrammer even went so far as to say, “This was the worst ‘AGT’ [finale] I have ever watched, America got it completely wrong or should I say [biased] 😮, there were way better acts/singers than [Richard] 😢😢😢😢.”
Terry Crews, Richard Goodall and Heidi Klum posing for a picture, posted on May 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/agt and richard.goodall
Another opined, “I cannot believe Richard won. I like him as a person but that shouldn’t be the basis for someone winning ‘AGT’ and he’s honestly not that good of a singer. So disappointing.”
“Not fair 😢 Roni and Rhythm were the best,” noted an observer while another echoed, “Roni & Rhythm really deserved this win. You’ll never have another act like them.” However, amid the vitriol, one fan gushed, “I started screaming!!!! I wanted Richard to win since Day 1.”
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Goodall is not letting the negative commentary concerning his victory stop him from basking in the glow of his win. The humble janitor with an amazing voice recently opened up about the glorious moment his name was called as season 19’s winner with Extra’s Terri Seymour.
“Words can’t describe. I used to use the word surreal, but it’s beyond surreal now. People have bucket lists, and then there are bucket lists you didn’t even know about. I’m into the bucket list you didn’t even know about that comes with all this,” boasted Goodall.
He was also referring to the incredible opportunity he got to perform with the legendary rock band Journey for his final performance.
Goodall also shared how overwhelmingly excited his wife Angie, whom he tied the knot with amid the competition, is. As far as what he plans to do with the hefty prize money, Goodall, who never dreamed he would become a millionaire, disclosed, “The sky’s the limit. Her and I want to get a house, so we’ll figure that out.”
He also shared what proud judge and supporter Heidi Klum said to him when she ran on stage to hug him after he won.
Richard Goodall and Heidi Klum posing for photos on the “AGT” Season 19 Winner’s Red Carpet in Pasadena, California on September 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Richard Goodall and Heidi Klum posing for photos on the “AGT” Season 19 Winner’s Red Carpet in Pasadena, California on September 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“She said, ‘I knew you could do it all along,’ and I was just like, you know, ‘Thank you for being my champion,’ and she has been all the way through, each step,” stated Goodall.