Netflix has officially brought back Star Search, reintroducing the iconic talent competition as a five-week live event beginning January 20, 2026.
The reimagined series blends live performances, real-time audience voting, and a rotating slate of emerging performers across multiple categories, marking Star Search’s first return to television in two decades.
The series is hosted by Anthony Anderson and features a judging panel that includes Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen.
Episodes air live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT, with viewers voting in real time through Netflix.
Watch the Trailer
Star Search Netflix Live Event Schedule and Format
The Star Search Netflix live event runs for five weeks, with new episodes streaming live twice a week. Netflix has confirmed that viewers watching live can vote directly using their remote controls or by tapping the screen in the Netflix mobile app. Results are revealed immediately during each broadcast.
Each episode features head-to-head matchups, with contestants competing within specific talent categories. Winners advance to the following week, where they face new challengers as the competition progresses.
A Legacy Series Reintroduced for a New Era
Originally a staple of American television, Star Search played a key role in launching the careers of artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Adam Sandler, and Dave Chappelle. After being off the air for 20 years, the Netflix revival draws directly from that legacy while updating the format to include live global participation.
Netflix has positioned the series as both a continuation of the original concept and a modernized competition built around audience interaction and weekly eliminations.
Judges and Host on the Star Search Panel
The judging panel brings together voices from different corners of entertainment. Jelly Roll represents the music industry, Sarah Michelle Gellar brings experience from film and television, and Chrissy Teigen adds a perspective rooted in media, publishing, and pop culture.
Executive producer Jesse Collins has stated that the panel was assembled to reflect a range of viewpoints, allowing for discussion, disagreement, and debate as performances are evaluated. While judges offer feedback, final outcomes are determined through real-time audience voting.
Anthony Anderson leads the live broadcasts, guiding viewers through performances, results, and transitions between rounds.
Inside the Live Premiere Episode
The first live episode of Star Search on Netflix premiered from Los Angeles and featured eight acts competing across four categories: Music (Group), Juniors (Music), Dance, and Variety (Magic). Two acts in each category faced off head-to-head, with viewers voting live during the broadcast.
Following the episode, Netflix hosted a purple carpet event attended by the judges, the host, and the four winning acts from the night.
Episode 1 Categories and Competitors
Juniors (Music)
- Eric Adrien Williams vs. Blair Kudelka
Dance
- Movement 55 vs. LadyMetry
Variety (Magic)
- TJ Salta vs. Fernando Velasco
Music (Group)
- 2BYG vs. H3RIZON
Episode 1 Winners Revealed Live
At the conclusion of the premiere episode, the following contestants advanced to the next round:
- Eric Adrien Williams
- Movement 55
- TJ Salta
- H3RIZON
These four acts will return on Tuesday, January 27, where they will compete against new challengers in their respective categories.
What’s Next on Star Search
Netflix confirmed that Episode 2 will air the night following the premiere, featuring eight new contestants across four categories. As with the first episode, performances will be judged live, with audience voting determining which acts move forward.
The live schedule continues throughout the five-week run, maintaining the same voting and elimination structure.
Production Team Behind the Series
Star Search is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, with executive producers Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, Elaine Metaxas, Taraji P. Henson, and Steve Mosko.
The series is showrun by Jason Raff and David Friedman, both of whom have extensive experience in competition-based television formats.
The Poster
Key Details: Star Search on Netflix
- Premiere date: January 20, 2026
- Platform: Netflix
- Format: Five-week live competition event
- Schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
- Host: Anthony Anderson
- Judges: Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen
- Voting: Real-time audience voting via Netflix
- Production company: Jesse Collins Entertainment
