After America’s Got Talent Auditions Were Rescheduled Due To LA Wildfires, Winner Richard Goodall Shares Recent ‘Sadness’ From Experience

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This week, contestants aiming for Season 20 of America’s Got Talent were set to travel to Pasadena, California and participate in the show’s open call auditions before the series airs again in the 2025 TV lineup (possibly in May). Unfortunately, the venue is currently being used as a temporary shelter by the Red Cross due to the Eaton Fire that broke out in Los Angeles last week. When I arranged my interview with Season 19 winner Richard Goodall earlier this month, neither of us anticipated discussing the tragic wildfires in the area, which he now feels personally affected by.

In a chat with the man from Indiana who astounded us all last year as the “singing janitor” and later earned Heidi Klum’s golden buzzer, becoming the Season 19 champion. During our discussion, he reminisced about his busy finale week. When I enquired about getting married to his wife, Angie Vanoven, only a few days prior to winning on America’s Got Talent, he shared:

Indeed, there was a mix of joy and a hint of melancholy in the air lately. We spent an incredible time near the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, specifically at a shopping center. Upstairs, you’ll find a fountain, and that’s where our wedding took place, right by the Mexican restaurant – our chosen venue for the special day. We were fortunate to have AGT assist us in arranging a small room for our cake celebration.

Richard Goodall cherishes not just his memorable performances on the America’s Got Talent stage during his season, but also the city where he tied the knot. His wedding took place near the El Cholo Café, opposite the Pasadena Civic Center. Following the ceremony, they ventured to west Los Angeles for an elegant dinner together. As he recounted:

Richard Goodall treasures not just his impressive stage performances on AGT during his season, but also the city where he got married. The wedding was held near the El Cholo Café, adjacent to the Pasadena Civic Center. After the ceremony, they traveled to west Los Angeles for a lavish dinner with his new wife. As he reminisced:

Later that evening, they aided us in arranging a dinner outing at Moonshadows, located in Malibu, which unfortunately fell victim to the Pacific Palisades fire and burned down, along with other eateries. It’s quite unfortunate, but at least we had the opportunity to enjoy it before its demise. The restaurant was fantastic, and we had a blast! The view was simply breathtaking.

Despite the fact that the Pasadena area he mentioned survived the Eaton Fire, there’s a sense of sorrow now because their special night out in Malibu has been affected since Moonshadows, a cherished restaurant, was unfortunately destroyed by the Palisades fire. According to the restaurant’s website, its oceanfront property was damaged and lost in the fire on January 8, bringing an end to over 40 years of service.

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At present, the owners are gathering funds for their staff via GoFundMe, following the unfortunate incident. Goodall made a statement that also conveys this sentiment.

Angie and I were overjoyed to manage it at that moment, making it all the more memorable since it occurred during our show breaks. The taping of the final episode took place on Tuesday, our wedding followed on Wednesday, and Thursday saw us filming the grand finale. It was a hectic week for us as we got married just before I won.

Triumphing on “America’s Got Talent” is an incredible accomplishment, given that even the stern critic Simon Cowell praised the singer as “one of the most remarkable contestants we’ve seen in years,” despite offering constructive criticism during one performance. Not only did he get to marry his beloved and claim the grand prize, but he also had the privilege of collaborating with Journey member Neal Schon – an experience he described as reaching a level on his bucket list that he could never have imagined.

During the series, Goodall had nothing but praise for his time spent in Los Angeles during Season 19. As he puts it himself:

Angie and I were incredibly touched by the amount of support we received from everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment on that show. The people behind the scenes are just as impressive as the judges in front. They’ve been a tremendous source of learning for me. I soaked up as much knowledge as I could, considering my small-town Indiana background and my journey to LA and Pasadena. It was overwhelming with all the new experiences, but the America’s Got Talent team made it feel less daunting. I never felt alone or without help when I faced any challenges, as they were always there to lend a hand. Even strangers in Pasadena were amazing, according to my wife Angie. She added that the kindness of strangers was another pleasant surprise during our time there.

As a seasoned movie buff embarking on a fresh chapter, I, at the ripe age of 55, boarded a plane for the very first time, bound for sunny California with dreams in my heart and “America’s Got Talent” in my sights. Now, with performances behind me in Indio, California, and Greensville, Pennsylvania, I’m finding my travel legs, eagerly anticipating more adventures on the horizon. In the meantime, I’m honing my craft, perfecting my voice for future projects, and counting down the days until Season 20 of “AGT” kicks off. I can hardly wait to cheer on the next batch of talented hopefuls!

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2025-01-16 04:37