Netflix’s Star Search Reboot Taps Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar & Chrissy Teigen as Judges

Netflix just turned up the volume on talent shows with the announcement that Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen will judge the highly anticipated reboot of Star Search. The live competition, premiering January 20, 2026, promises to bring the iconic format roaring back, blending music, dance, comedy, magic, and a healthy dose of drama for the TikTok generation.

Once a launchpad for megastars like Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake, Star Search is returning with live streaming, audience voting, and celebrity judges who guarantee sparks will fly. Netflix isn’t messing around: this reboot is designed as a real-time event, airing Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, and letting viewers influence the results through the Netflix app.

The judging panel is a head-turner. Jelly Roll, the Grammy-nominated musician and modern rap-country crossover star, brings street cred and live performance experience to the table. Meanwhile, Sarah Michelle Gellar, forever immortalized as Buffy, adds Hollywood prestige and a dash of ’90s nostalgia, plus some judging experience from guest appearances on other competition shows. And then there’s Chrissy Teigen, the queen of social media sass, cookbook fame, and reality-TV know-how, whose comments are bound to trend faster than contestants can hit their high notes.

Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the show promises a whirlwind of talent and tension. With a mix of established stage experience and influencer energy, the reboot aims to feel both nostalgic and fresh. The live, interactive format ensures fans aren’t just watching—they’re part of the action, deciding who advances in real time and creating buzz that Netflix hopes will turn every episode into a must-watch event.

Whether Star Search can recapture the cultural cachet of its ’80s and ’90s heyday is still up for debate. But one thing’s clear: with Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen calling the shots, the reboot is set to generate laughs, jaw-drops, and maybe even a few viral moments along the way.

Don’t miss the Star Search reboot live on Netflix starting January 20 at 9 p.m. ET—your next obsession might just be one performance away.