Recall Star Search, the legendary talent hunt that helped launch the early careers of big-name stars like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and more?
Well, it’s back on the world’s largest streaming platform, Netflix.
After five weeks of fierce competition spanning nine episodes, Netflix’s Star Search has crowned its champion.
In January, the streaming giant rolled out a reboot of the iconic talent program. While portions of the new series follow the traditional host-and-judges format, the revival leans into celebrity star power with host Anthony Anderson and judges Chrissy Teigen and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Unlike the original series, each episode premiered live, enabling the audience to cast real-time votes using their TV remote or the Netflix app, effectively turning viewers into a fourth judge.
The show has become the source of viral moments online, such as Jelly Roll being moved to tears by contestant Bear Bailey singing one of his songs, and fans chronicling each episode.
After weeks of intense competition and tough decisions by both the audience and the panel, the final four were established as singer Spud Morrow, dancers Vespertilio, and magicians Harry Merlin Piper and TJ Salta.
After delivering one final performance, TJ Salta was crowned the winner, taking home the top prize of $500,000.
MadameNoire reported live from the high-energy finale, where we spoke with host Anthony Anderson, judges Chrissy Teigen and Sarah Michelle Gellar, finalist Spud Howard, and the Star Search champion, TJ Salta.
“I feel like I was just shown a magic trick,” Salta told MadameNoire.
See what the Star Search winner and the show’s biggest stars had to say in the video above!
