Netflix Brings Star Search Back With Live Voting

It’s been more than two decades since audiences last tuned in for a live episode of Star Search, the iconic talent show that once launched the careers of household names like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake. Now, in a bold move that blends nostalgia with cutting-edge interactivity, Netflix is reviving Star Search—and this time, viewers will have a direct hand in shaping the destinies of tomorrow’s stars.

The rebooted Star Search premieres live on Netflix on January 20, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, marking the first live episode since the show’s final season in 2004, according to USA Today. Hosted by Anthony Anderson—best known for his Emmy-nominated role on “Black-ish”—the show brings together a celebrity judging panel featuring Grammy-nominated musician Jelly Roll, Emmy-winning actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, and bestselling cookbook author and TV personality Chrissy Teigen.

“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.”

So, what’s new in this revival? For starters, the competition’s scope has expanded. While the original show featured singers, dancers, comedians, and models, the new Star Search will showcase musicians, dancers, comedians, children’s acts, and a variety of other talents—everything from magicians to trapeze artists and even a talented dog, as executive producer Jesse Collins shared with Gold Derby. Notably, the spokesmodel category has been left behind, a deliberate choice by the producers to focus on other performance genres.

But the most significant innovation is the introduction of real-time, interactive voting. For the first time in the show’s history, fans watching live can rate each performance on a scale of one to five stars. “The live voting feature is a total game-changer,” Anderson explained in a statement. “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.”

How does this new voting system work? To participate, viewers must watch Star Search as it airs live—pausing, rewinding, or joining late means missing the voting window. Voting is available on supported devices: smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, as well as Netflix’s mobile apps for iOS and Android. Web browsers, however, are not supported, so laptop viewers will need to switch devices if they want to join in the action. When it’s time to vote, a prompt appears on the screen, allowing users to rate the act from one to five stars. Each Netflix profile can submit one rating per performance, and once it’s in, the vote is final. Live results are displayed during the episode, creating a sense of high-stakes momentum that can shift a performer’s fate in seconds.

“You’ll be able to vote more than once per show,” the producers noted, since voting rounds open multiple times during each episode—typically after each performance. All of these votes accumulate over the course of the season, culminating in a live finale where the audience helps crown the winner. For those who want to make sure their vote counts, Netflix recommends keeping their streaming devices or apps updated to ensure compatibility with the voting feature.

The live episodes will air on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT (or 7 p.m. MST, depending on your region), running for five weeks until the finale on February 17, 2026. This twice-weekly schedule is designed to keep the momentum going and give fans plenty of opportunities to engage with the competition. “We feel like everyone who touches the stage could be a star, and that’s another thing that hopefully will tie us back to the original, because so many people that have had amazing careers that were on the show did not win,” executive producer Jesse Collins told Gold Derby.

It’s a nod to the show’s storied legacy. Since its debut in 1983 with Ed McMahon as host, Star Search has been a launching pad for a remarkable roster of talent. Beyond the aforementioned superstars, the show’s alumni list reads like a who’s who of entertainment: Usher, Dave Chappelle, Kevin James, Martin Lawrence, Drew Carey, Leann Rimes, Sutton Foster, Aaliyah, Adam Sandler, and the Backstreet Boys, among others. Some became winners, while others simply caught the right eyes at the right moment.

Jesse Collins Entertainment produces the new series, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, and Elaine Metaxas serving as executive producers. Their aim is to maintain the emotional ups and downs that defined the original show while injecting a new immediacy through live audience participation. “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,” Netflix said in a statement.

The impact of real-time voting is not just a technical novelty—it fundamentally changes the dynamics of the competition. No longer are decisions left solely to the celebrity judges; instead, the global audience now has a direct say in who advances and who goes home. This democratization of the process means that, as in the original, the most talented contestant doesn’t always win, but it does ensure that those who connect with viewers have a shot at stardom. Anderson summed it up: “It’s like we’re all part of the show and get to be one of the judges.”

For fans eager to participate, the process is straightforward. Tune in live, watch the performances, and when prompted, rate each act. Just remember: voting is only available in English, and only during the live broadcast. Miss the window, and your chance to influence the outcome is gone—at least until the next round.

With a blend of nostalgia, star power, and interactive technology, Netflix’s Star Search reboot is poised to capture both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers. Whether you’re rooting for a singer, a dancer, a comedian, or an act that defies easy categorization, this season promises to deliver unforgettable moments—and, just maybe, the next big star.

The curtain rises again, and this time, everyone has a front-row seat—and a vote.