Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen Team Up for Star Search
Jelly Roll is among the three new judges for Netflix’s upcoming revamped version of Star Search, set to debut later this month.
The 41-year-old country superstar will be joined by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen at the judging panel, with Anthony Anderson taking on hosting duties. The series is set to premiere on Tuesday, January 20, and will be broadcast live on Netflix every Tuesday and Wednesday for the subsequent five weeks.
“This new, reimagined series taps into the rich history of Star Search, a show that helped launch the careers of worldwide icons such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Dave Chappelle, Adam Sandler, and many more,” Netflix stated in a press release dated Tuesday, January 6. “Making its return after a 20-year hiatus, the show reemerges as a nostalgic yet fresh contender in the talent competition landscape — poised to charm both long-term fans and a new audience.”
Participants will showcase their talents across various genres, including music, dance, variety, comedy, and magic, with a special category for “juniors.” Audiences watching from home will have the ability to vote for their favorite contestants using their remote or by tapping the screen on the Netflix mobile app.
“Star Search is back! The talent is grander, the stakes are higher, and the format is more interactive than ever,” the press release elaborated. “With a structured competition and weekly eliminations accompanied by real-time global voting, the series creates thrilling momentum, ensuring every live episode is an event you can’t miss.”
Star Search originally aired from 1983 to 1995, hosted by the late Ed McMahon. A later version, hosted by Arsenio Hall, aired on CBS from 2003 to 2004.
As highlighted in the press release, Beyoncé, 44, is one of the most renowned artists to have graced Star Search. She performed with Destiny’s Child — originally named Girls Tyme — in 1993, although the group infamously lost to a band named Skeleton Crew.
Beyoncé even incorporated an audio snippet from the episode into the song “***Flawless” from her self-titled album released in 2013. The accompanying music video features clips from that episode, ending with the moment Skeleton Crew was announced as the victors over Beyoncé and her bandmates.
“While I was in the studio, I started threading the songs together, and this performance came to mind, which was a pivotal moment in my childhood,” Beyoncé shared in a 2013 video accompanying the album. “In my head, we were going to perform on Star Search, win, and secure a record deal — that was my dream.”
She continued, “I could never have imagined that losing was even a possibility. I was only 9 at the time. Back then, you’re unaware that despite working your hardest and giving everything you have, you could still lose. It was a significant lesson for me.”
The members of Skeleton Crew still find it puzzling why they were pitted against Beyoncé in the first place.
“That Star Search had five grown men competing against six adorable 12-year-old girls still baffles us to this day,” vocalist William Pilipchuk joked to People in 2013.
Star Search will premiere on Netflix on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 p.m. ET.
