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Heidi Klum cheers on “America's Got Talent” finalist Richard Goodall

During the last appearances in Tuesday's episode of America's Got TalentThe judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara were repeatedly impressed, but there was one candidate that Klum was particularly enthusiastic about: Richard Goodall,

The school janitor from Terra Haute, Indiana, surprised the judges and, more importantly at this point in the competition, the audience with his covers of soulful '80s songs, including his latest song, “Faithfully” by Journey.

The studio audience stood and cheered, and the judges were universally full of praise, especially Klum, who awarded Goodall her Golden Buzzer during his audition.

“Richard, I have been your biggest fan since the very first day we met,” said Klum. “You are such a great man. You are so humble and so kind. You are also a bit quiet, but not when you are behind the microphone. Then you are a large Rockstar!” She later added, “I want you to win so badly, Richard!”

Two places further down, Cowell praised Goodall’s performance and noted the enthusiasm of the audience.

The judges of “America's Got Talent” cheer on the candidates.

Trae Patton/NBC


“I could feel the energy behind me,” Cowell said. “Honestly. From the moment you appeared on that show, you never broke down. You didn't. You rose. And you know what? We all need a hero right now, and you are our hero.”

Mandel agreed: “You know, not only is he a hero, not only is he great, I'm going to make a prediction right now. I think you just sang yourself a million dollars.”

Goodall was just one of the season's top 10 acts, all of whom competed fiercely for the show's grand prize, which is awarded based on viewers' votes. You can have your say until Wednesday, September 18, at 7 a.m. ET/6 a.m. Central Time on NBC.com/AGTVote or through the AGT app.

Also taking part were the acts Hakuna Matata Acrobats, singer Dee Dee Simon, aerial acrobats Sebastián & Sonia, the dance group Brent Street, the transformation magician Solange Kardinaly, the acrobats from Airfootworks, the comedian Learnmore Jonasi, the dog-master dance duo Roni Sagi and Rhythm and the drone act Sky Elements.

The episode failed to mention this week's news that Emily Gold, a dancer who competed with the Los Osos High School dance team earlier this season, committed suicide.

The winner of the show's 19th season will be announced in next week's finale, a special episode featuring performances by Simone Biles and the Gold Over America Tour, Michael Bublé, Andra Day, Gabriel Iglesias, Neal Schon and members of Journey, Steve Aoki and the Las Vegas cast of Magic Mike Live. AGT Former members of the Detroit Youth Choir will also perform. The show will air on NBC on Tuesday, September 24th at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. Central, with a countdown to the finale at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. Central.

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