Netflix is bringing back the classic talent competition Star Search, and it is doing it with an unlikely trio at the judges’ table. Country music star Jelly Roll is joining Sarah Michelle Gellar, best known to many as Buffy Summers, along with Chrissy Teigen for a new live version of the series.
What the reboot is
Star Search is returning as a five-week live event on Netflix, with the streamer positioning it as a high-energy, interactive competition aimed at discovering new performers across multiple categories.
Who is involved
Netflix confirmed the judging panel as:
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Jelly Roll
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Sarah Michelle Gellar
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Chrissy Teigen
Anthony Anderson will host.
When it premieres and how it will work
The reboot premieres live on January 20, 2026. Episodes stream live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, and viewers can vote in real time using their TV remote or the Netflix app.
Netflix says the competition will run with weekly eliminations and an “arc” structure that builds momentum as the season moves forward.
What kinds of acts will compete
Netflix’s description lists multiple categories, including music, dance, comedy, magic, variety, and juniors.
Why Netflix is reviving Star Search now
Star Search has a built-in legacy as a launchpad show, and Netflix is clearly leaning into that history while modernizing the format with live streaming and real-time voting. The original series ran from 1983 to 1995, and it later had a short revival in the early 2000s.
