Star Search Reboot Finds Its Winner
Eight contestants competed during the season finale of Star Search, but only one emerged as the champion and winner of the $500,000 grand prize.
After a 22-year hiatus, Netflix rebooted Star Search this year. The show featured judges Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen, and was hosted by Anthony Anderson.
Over several weeks, viewers were treated to a series of outstanding performances from the hopeful contestants. After a series of brutal eliminations, the following performers advanced to the finale on February 17.
- Movement 55 (Dance)
- Spud Howard (Music Solo)
- Harry Merlin Piper (Junior Variety)
- Duo Vespertilio (Variety)
- Madison Lauren (Juniors Music)
- H3rizon (Music Group)
- Janine Harouni (Comedy)
- TJ Salta (Variety)
Unlike past weeks, the judges didn’t award stars to the finalists, although they did provide commentary. Viewers’ votes had the sole power to determine the winner.
Consider this your spoiler warning for the results from the Star Search finale!
To start, four pairs of contestants faced off for the viewers’ votes. After those face-offs, the last four contestants standing were:
- Harry Merlin Piper (Junior Variety)
- Duo Vespertilio (Variety)
- Spud Howard (Music Solo)
- TJ Salta (Variety)
Then, viewers voted again to determine the winner from that group of contestants. After all of the votes were tallied, magician TJ Salta was crowned as the Star Search champion!
TJ Salta Reacts To His Star Search Victory
As you’d expect, Salta was thrilled by his Star Search win. He reacted to his victory in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, saying:
“I was shocked, and I was grateful. Just being here from day one and doing five rounds live — without a lot of time in between — it felt like it paid off immediately.”
He also touched on his upcoming plans, saying:
“I want to ride this wave and give people the magic they want. I’m ready to give the world a magic experience. That’s my dream. I’m using this win as a first step in that.“
Additionally, Salta shared a celebratory post on social media, captioning it:
“What a journey. After five rounds, I’m incredibly humbled and grateful to be the @starsearchnetflix champion, voted by the world. Thank you to everyone who rode with me and believed in this dream. It’s just the beginning.“
Harry Merlin Piper was named the runner-up of the season. Spud Howard came in third place, with Duo Vespertilio following in fourth.
Congratulations to all of the Star Search finalists on a job well done! Watch winner TJ Salta’s exciting finale performance and his crowning moment in the videos below.
