Netflix’s Star Search reveals its judging panel with Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen ahead of the live talent competition’s January 2026 return.
Netflix is officially reviving a television institution, and the streamer is stacking the deck with star power. Star Search has announced that Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen will serve as judges on the reimagined talent competition when it premieres live in January 2026.
The five-week live event kicks off on January 20, 2026, with new episodes airing Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. Emmy and Golden Globe–nominated actor Anthony Anderson will host the series, guiding contestants and viewers through the high-stakes competition.
The judging panel brings together three distinct voices from across entertainment. Grammy Award–nominated artist Jelly Roll joins Golden Globe–nominated and Emmy-winning actor Sarah Michelle Gellar, alongside television personality and New York Times bestselling cookbook author Chrissy Teigen. Together, they will evaluate performers as they compete for a shot at stardom.
Episodes of Star Search will air live and feature real-time voting, allowing viewers to help decide which contestants advance each week. Fans watching live can vote directly using their remote or by tapping the screen while viewing through the Netflix mobile app, making audience participation a central part of the competition.
The updated format draws inspiration from the show’s legacy while introducing a more interactive structure. Each episode will spotlight emerging talent across multiple categories, including music, dance, variety, comedy, magic and juniors. Performers will go head to head as the competition unfolds in an arced format with weekly eliminations, building m4omentum toward a final winner.
Originally a launching pad for major stars such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Dave Chappelle and Adam Sandler, Star Search returns after two decades off the air. Netflix’s revival aims to balance nostalgia with a modern, live-event approach designed to captivate longtime fans and introduce the franchise to a new generation of viewers.
