Star Search Premieres Tonight — Here’s How to Vote with Your Remote

Your step-by-step guide to watching, voting, and shaping the next generation of breakout performers.

Your step-by-step guide to watching, voting, and shaping the next generation of breakout performers.

Legendary talent competition Star Search  premieres live on Netflix tonight at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT — and this time, you’re part of the show. Hosted by Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated actor Anthony Anderson, with judges Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen, the 2026 Star Search reboot introduces a new era of live, high-stakes competition where musicians, dancers, comedians, juniors, and variety acts perform onstage — and for the first time ever, viewer votes on Netflix will determine, in real time, who advances in the competition and who is knocked out. 

Below, find everything you need to know before the premiere, including how to vote, what’s new in the reboot, when episodes air, and how the live format works across devices.

How to Vote on Netflix’s Star search

Real-time voting is a brand-new feature on Netflix — and for Star Search, it puts you in the judge’s seat. Here’s how it works.
 

1. Watch the episode LIVE

To vote, you need to watch Star Search as it streams live.
 If you rewind, pause for too long, or join late, you will miss the limited voting window.

Live episodes air Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, starting Jan. 20, 2026.

2. Use a supported device

Real-time voting is available on most newer devices, including:

  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.)
  • Mobile apps (iOS and Android)

Voting is not available on web browsers.

If you’re watching on a laptop — grab your phone or switch to TV before the voting window opens. For more information, visit the Netflix Help Center. 

3. Follow the on-screen prompts

When it’s time to vote, a 1–5 star rating prompt will appear on your screen.

  • On TV: Use your remote to select 1–5 stars for each performance.
  • On the Netflix mobile app: Tap the number of stars you want to give.

You can submit one rating per Netflix profile per performance, and once submitted, your vote is final.

Results for each voting round are revealed live during the episode — no waiting until next week.

4. Keep watching — you’ll be able to vote more than once per show.

Voting happens multiple times per episode, with rounds opening during select moments throughout the show — and all votes build toward the live finale, where the audience helps choose the winner.

Be sure to stay tuned during each performance break. Voting prompts appear only during designated windows.