Beyoncé. Britney Spears. Justin Timberlake. Today, they’re global icons, but from 1983 to 1995 they all appeared as up-and-comers on the original run of Star Search. Now, the legendary talent competition series returns in a brand-new, supercharged format: live on Netflix, with real-time viewer voting for the first time ever. Anthony Anderson will host the reboot and introduce viewers to the next generation of breakout performers, with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jelly Roll, and Chrissy Teigen as judges.
The original Star Search helped launch some of entertainment’s biggest names, from Dave Chappelle to Christina Aguilera to Justin Timberlake. The reboot builds on that legacy with a broader mix of performers, including musicians, dancers, comedians, and kids’ acts all competing on a live stage. What hasn’t changed is the emotional undercurrent that defined the show; what’s new is the immediacy. Every performance, every reveal, every elimination happens in real time and is powered by audience votes, creating the kind of high-stakes momentum that can shift a performer’s career in seconds.
As the new Star Search host, Anderson will lead the new era of competition on Netflix, guiding audiences through each week’s live performances, eliminations, and high-stakes moments.
“I’m super excited to host this new chapter of Star Search and to introduce such an iconic format to a whole new generation, especially on a global stage like Netflix,” Anderson told Tudum. “The range of talent we’re going to see is going to blow you away, and I can't wait for audiences to experience all the performances, surprises and sheer excitement that this new era of Star Search will deliver.”
The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor starred for eight seasons in ABC’s multi-award-nominated sitcom “black-ish” where he portrayed Andre “Dre” Johnson and also served as executive producer.
Star Search will premiere live on January 20, 2026. Episodes will air live Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT.
One of the biggest updates to the Star Search format is live fan voting on Netflix.
For the first time ever, viewers can participate in real time and help determine who advances.
“The live voting feature is a total game-changer,” says Anderson. “Knowing that fans from all over the world can cast their votes in real time adds a whole new layer of excitement and participation to the mix. It’s like we’re all part of the show and get to be one of the judges.”
For step-by-step instructions, visit Tudum’s Star Search How to Vote hub.
The series comes from Jesse Collins Entertainment — the team behind Rhythm + Flow, the Primetime Emmy Awards, the American Music Awards, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and Hollywood Squares. Executive producers include Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, and Elaine Metaxas.
