Netflix Reboots Star Search With Live Voting

Netflix has thrown open the stage curtains on a fresh revival of the legendary talent competition Star Search, launching a new era of live, interactive television that puts the audience squarely in the judge’s seat. Premiering on January 20, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, this reboot brings a high-octane, real-time voting system to living rooms across the globe, promising a blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology that’s already turning heads in the entertainment world.

For anyone who remembers the original Star Search, which aired from 1983 to 1995 and helped launch the careers of icons like Dave Chappelle, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake, the show’s return is more than just a walk down memory lane. According to TheWrap, executive producer Jesse Collins explained, “This is our first live global competition show, so that in itself makes it unique. First time we’ve ever done anything with live voting where the voting happens within a minute. That type of speed, that type of instant response, is something that I’ve never dealt with before, so it’s exciting.”

The new Star Search airs live every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on Netflix. Viewers eager to cast their votes must tune in live—there’s no pausing, rewinding, or joining late if you want your voice heard. Voting windows are brief, and once they close, that’s it. “If you rewind, pause for too long, or join late, you will miss the limited voting window,” Netflix’s Tudum platform cautioned. It’s a brisk, no-nonsense pace, with no commercials to slow things down. Collins added, “There’s no commercials, so no time for resets — we’ve got to move, move, move.”

So, how does this new voting system work? During the show, viewers are prompted to rate each performance using a 1–5 star system. On smart TVs and streaming devices, you simply use your remote; on mobile apps, a quick tap does the trick. Each Netflix profile gets one vote per performance, and once you submit, your vote is final. Results are tallied instantly and announced before the episode ends—no more agonizing week-long waits to find out who advances. As Anthony Anderson, the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated host, told Tudum, “The live voting feature is a total game-changer. 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.”

Voting is available on most newer devices: smart TVs, streaming boxes like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. But if you’re watching on a web browser, you’re out of luck—grab your phone or switch to a supported device before voting windows open. The system is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. As Anderson joked, the process is “mama-proof.”

Unlike the original, which focused mainly on singers, comedians, and models, Netflix’s Star Search has expanded its categories. The 2026 edition features dancers, singers, musicians, magicians, comedians, juniors, and variety acts, all competing live onstage. Jesse Collins teased in his interview with TheWrap, “You’re going to see the best of the best of those types of categories going head to head.” Each episode is a whirlwind of talent, with contestants advancing or heading home at a much faster pace than viewers might expect from traditional competition shows.

The judging panel is just as star-studded as the acts on stage. Alongside host Anthony Anderson, the judges include singer-songwriter Jelly Roll, actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, and model-turned-entrepreneur Chrissy Teigen. Collins described the panel’s chemistry: “They have different approaches to everything. They have all found their own stars in different lanes, and they’re all really nice people that are excited to be here — that care, that really want to find a star. It’s that cohesive energy that will bring it all together.” But don’t expect them to agree on everything. “Now, are they going to agree? Absolutely not. They’re all going to have their opinions, but they all genuinely care and they want this to be great.”

For the production team, the challenge has been enormous but rewarding. Jesse Collins Entertainment, known for producing the Grammy Awards and the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, leads a powerhouse team including co-showrunners Jason Raff and David Friedman, and executive producers Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, Elaine Metaxas, Taraji P. Henson, and Steve Mosko. Collins praised the collaborative effort: “We have an amazing team. It’s because of all of the collaborations that I get to bounce around and be a part of some of the greatest content on television at this time.”

Star Search’s legacy looms large. From its original run, the show has been a launchpad for stars—some of whom didn’t even win their season. Collins reflected, “Even the original creators couldn’t say, ‘Oh, this guy Adam Sandler is going to be one of the greatest comedic voices of our time.’ But in the casting process, you can make the decision that we want to find people that are great. What we don’t want to do is put someone on just because everybody’s going to laugh at them. So whatever their talent is, we’re proud to put them on that stage.” He added, “We can’t control who wins or loses — and the Sandlers, the Destiny’s Childs, the Dave Chappelles, Britney Spears, none of them won. Billy Porter, on the other hand, did win, and all of them have gone on to have incredible careers. That would be what I would hope, is that, of course, we’ll have an amazing winner that everyone agrees upon, but then everyone that touches the stage is able to go on and do something great with their talent.”

For those unable to catch the show live, episodes are available on demand after the broadcast. However, the interactive voting experience is exclusive to the live showings—meaning only those who tune in on time get to shape the competition’s outcome. And with multiple voting rounds per episode, each vote builds toward the highly anticipated live finale, where the audience ultimately crowns the winner.

With its lightning-fast format, expanded categories, and truly global reach, Netflix’s Star Search reboot is rewriting the rules for talent competitions. It’s a bold experiment, blending the best of old-school showbiz with the immediacy and inclusivity of modern technology. Whether you’re a fan of singers, dancers, comedians, or magicians, one thing’s certain: this is one competition where every second—and every vote—counts.