The 19th season of the popular talent competition show “America’s Got Talent” ended in its usual spectacular fashion, but this time, controversy followed the unveiling of the year’s winner.
The season finale saw host Terry Crews take to the stage, with the top two finalists to either side of him. To his right was singer Richard Goodall, who had astounded the audience when he joined the revered band Journey for his final performance. The other finalist was Roni Sagi, who performed dog tricks with her pet pooch, Rhythm.
“It has been one of the best seasons I can remember and we have your top two acts. 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,” Crews said before announcing Goodall as the winner.
Goodall bowed down and held his knees in disbelief as soon as his name was announced. Unable to hold back her joy, judge Heidi Klum raced to the stage to hug Goodall as the other judges – Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel – stood up and gave the winner a standing ovation.
When Crews asked Goodall how he was feeling, Goodall responded, “My life has been transformed. Ange, I did it!” he exclaimed, referring to his wife, Angie, whom he had married during his involvement in the show.
Klum was also visibly overcome with emotion and said, “I’m so excited for you Richard! Woohoo! I’m so excited! I love you! Thank you, America!” as golden confetti rained down on the stage.
Speaking to “Extra” after his win, Goodall said he was still processing his feelings.
“Words can’t describe. I used to use the word surreal, but it’s beyond surreal now. … People have bucket lists, and then their 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,” he explained.
As for what he was going to do with the prize money, Goodall said he and wife Angie were still thinking it over.
“The sky’s the limit. Her and I want to get a house, so we’ll figure that out,” he said.
However, Goodall’s win hasn’t been unanimously well-received online, with many fans who were disappointed by the outcome alleging the show was “rigged.”
“He should not have won. So rigged,” one user wrote, while another commented, “There’s no way he should have won.”
“Awful decision America,” a third user responded.
Some believed there were better performers on the show than Goodall.
“This was the worst AGT finales I have ever watched, America got it completely wrong or should I say bias 😮, there were way better acts/singers than Richard 😢😢😢😢” one fan mulled, while another said they couldn’t “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.”
Others felt Roni and Rhythm had been robbed of their rightfully deserved win.
“Not fair 😢 Roni and Rhythm were the best,” one commenter lamented as another echoed the sentiment by saying, “Wow! That’s crazy! Rhythm was so much better! Very disappointing!”
However, some expressed support for Goodall, with one user saying that during the announcement, “I started screaming!!!! I wanted Richard to win since Day 1.”
What are your thoughts on Richard Goodall’s win? Do you feel Roni and Rhythm deserved the win more? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to friends and family who love watching “America’s Got Talent” too!
