Netflix’s ‘Star Search’: Who Won Night 2?

[Warning: The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for Episode 2 of Star Search.]

Star Search returned for the second night of its two-night premiere as Netflix’s interactive revival brought more performers to the stage for the competition series. With Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen on the judging panel and Anthony Anderson as host, the Wednesday, January 21, installment welcomed a lineup of fresh acts eager to prove they’re the next big thing.

On Monday, January 21, the big winners were singer Eric Adrien Williams, dancers Movement 55, magician TJ Salto, and girl group H3RIZON. Who will win the second night? This time around, there was more variety, as comedians of all ages, animal acts, acrobats, kid magicians, and vocal powerhouses tried their hand on the stage.

With a feature that allows viewers to vote for their favorite acts in real time, fans can tune in to see which performers will move one step closer to making their dreams come true. So, how did the next round of contestants fare?

Introduction

“Welcome, Netflix fans from around the world,” said host Anthony Anderson. “Tonight we have new acts, new categories, and they need you to vote on them from home.”

Last night, viewers in 160 countries cast their ballots for their favorite performers, and once again, contestants looked to audiences at home and the trio of judges to help turn big ambitions into on-stage reality.

Competing for the $500,000 grand prize, performers across music, variety, comedy, and dance returned to make their case for stardom and earn a spot in the next round.

The Force vs. Harry Merlin Piper

In the variety juniors category, dance troupe The Force faced off against Harry Merlin Piper, a 15-year-old magician from Salou, Spain. The son of a magician, Harry honed his craft at home and says magic is his true passion, while California’s The Force promises to deliver a high-energy routine packed with acrobatics and synchronized choreography. “Don’t blink,” warned Harry.

The Force stormed the stage first with “Golden” by HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters. As promised, the troupe flipped and tumbled across the stage, delivering a dazzling routine with shimmering gold effects illuminating the backdrop. When the tempo slowed, they transitioned into modern dance while still weaving in athletic acrobatics, showing control, versatility, and tight formations, and a firework light show to finish the act.

“More than anything, what I loved about you, I was watching your faces,” said Gellar. “You really were fireworks.” Girl-dad Jelly Roll asked, “Did ya’ll have fun?” After a rally of cheers, he commented, “They are doing what they love to do.” Teigen stated: “I see eight people who were made for this.”

Teigen and Jelly Roll gave five stars, while Gellar gave four stars.

Harry stepped onto the stage in a black tracksuit and singled out Gellar as his assistant, “I know you used to have magical powers.” Giving her cards, he asked her to give face (which she obliged), and shuffle the cards. She picked a random card and placed it back in the deck. She spread out the deck and picked a card blindly, managing to pick her first card.

“Now I want to show you my magic,” said Harry.

In a hybrid dance-and-magic routine, Harry displayed impressive showmanship, using smoke, lights, and music to build a card trick that grew far beyond the deck. The act culminated with Harry stepping into a plexiglass case alongside an assistant, then, in the blink of an eye, the pair instantly swapped places.

“First you made it intimate…then you made it showy, then the trick,” commented Gellar. “My mind was truly blown.” She said the charisma he held at such a young age was amazing. Jelly Roll, who is apparently scared of magic, said the trick “blew his mind,” and commented that he is sure his father is probably very proud. “You should not be in the junior category,” said Jelly Roll.

“You are so polished at 15 years old,” said Anderson.

Teigen and Jelly Roll gave him five stars, while Gellar gave him four stars.

Final vote: The Force got 3.7 stars from the voters at home, for a total of 4.2 stars. Harry got 4.0 stars from the voters, for a final score of 4.3 stars. Harry won the round.

JR De Guzman vs. Susan Rice

Filipino American musical comedian JR De Guzman went head-to-head with septuagenarian Susan Rice. Known for his parody songs and sharp comedic timing, JR began performing comedy while working as a music teacher, while Susan, who is on Instagram under the handle @funnyoldbag, won audiences over with her surprisingly crass humor and fearless delivery. “My parents thought, ‘My son is going to be broke and live with us forever,” said JR of his family’s support.

“In 1983, I stepped on a stage and got my first laugh,” said Susan. “I’ve been doing this for 43 years. This is a big deal.”

NOTE TO READERS: Writing comedy one watches isn’t the same as watching comedy. This will not do it justice. Please watch the sets. 

Susan joked about worrying over the economy and possibly having to sell her eggs (“Everyone likes a good deviled egg”). Her set included riffs about an elder dating service and her family’s concern about her finding a husband. Overall, she landed solid laughs and was clearly a crowd favorite, keeping the judges smiling and giggling throughout her time onstage.

“I love comedy, I love dark humor,” said Teigen. “I’ve never seen someone joke about that kind of stuff. It’s new and different to me.”

“If you are looking for another nephew, I’m your Huckleberry,” said Jelly Roll. “I think you are charming.”

“I, too, took a long time to get on the Star Search stage,” said Gellar. “I love seeing people do something different.

Teigen and Gellar gave three stars, and Jelly Roll gave her four stars.

JR was next and entered with a guitar. “I know this is a competition show, but I’m a lover, not a fighter…and I’m into older women,” he said while gesturing to Susan. “I see you with your bracelets. What is that, Life Alert? If I hear it, I know I’m killing it.”

NOTE TO READERS: Remember that note from before? Please watch the set. Writing it out does not do it justice.

He performed a comedic song about the rights and wrongs of modern relationships, weaving in audience participation throughout.

The set was humorous, interactive, and surprisingly sharp, using relatable situations to make clever points about relationships and social behavior. The answers set him up to be the fall guy and allowed him to comment on the audience response.

In the final verse, JR sang, “If I was out partying with Jelly Roll, and we got matching tattoos…but mine are not on my face.” He then lifted his shirt to reveal “JR/JR” inked across his back, earning big laughs from the crowd.

“You did a really good job, and you have a really nice voice,” said Teigen. Gellar loved that he brought the audience into it. “That shows your creativity.” But warned JR about having only one judge’s name tattooed on his body when there are three. Jelly Roll said his favorite moment was when he talked to the audience and played with their expectations.

Teigen and Gellar gave three stars, and Jelly Roll gave him four stars.

Final vote: Susan got 3.1 stars from voters, for a final score of 3.2 stars. JR got 3.6 stars from voters at home, for a total of 3.4 stars. JR won the round.

Duo Vespertilio vs. Macy and Tempo

In the variety category, acrobatic wonders Duo Vespertilio took on dog trainer Macy and her fuzzy pal Tempo. Meshing dramatic, dark theatrical elements with aerialist skill, partners Tanya Burka and Sidonie Adamson traveled from Denver to bring their unique act to the Star Search stage, while Macy and Tempo came from Olympia, Washington, to show off their high-energy doggie dancing and adorable antics.

“We are not just a circus act, we are telling a story,” said Sidonie. With Tempo barking in the background, Sidonie commented, “That’s the competition.”

Duo Vespertilio made a dramatic entrance to “Bad to the Bone” by 2WEI and Bri Bryant. Suspended high above the audience, they performed dangerous, death-defying aerial stunts that told the story of a vampire in love with a mortal. Amid fire illusions and flashing lights, they executed flips, waved to the crowd, and strung together a series of one-handed holds and drops. For the finale, Sidonie hung upside down as Tanya executed a death drop straight into his arms.

Jelly Roll talked about his weight loss journey, during which his goal was a pull-up, “It’s not only dangerous, it’s pique athleticism. I’ve never seen anything like it.” For Gellar, it was her comfort zone, “You had me at stunts and vampires,” causing the crowd to go ballistic. “It was really beautiful.” Teigen admitted that she’s “never been so stressed out watching a performance in my life.”

For scores, Teigen gave the duo four stars, as did Jelly Roll and Gellar.

Macy and Temp were next and came out to “I Love Me” by Meghan Trainor and LunchMoney Lewis. Dancing in front of a mock Star Search Hotel, Temp danced around Macy on beat to the music, then stood on her feet as the two walked in unison. Tempo jumped through her arms and walked through her legs as Macy bopped to the music. For the finale, Tempo danced in circles before launching into Macy’s arms.

“That was so cool to see,” said Teigen. “You guys have a beautiful connection…I’m ashamed of my dogs now.” Jelly Roll asked to pet Tempo before he commented, “The only time my dog dances is when it does the butt slide.” Gellar, also a dog person, pitched a dog spin-off show.

Teigen and Gellar gave three stars, while Jelly Roll gave four stars.

Final vote: Duo Vespertilio got 4 stars from the folks at home for a final score of 4 stars, Tempo and Macy got 3.5 stars for a final score of 3.4 stars. Duo Vespertilio won the round

Anderson gives a shout-out to his Hustle & Flow costar Taraji P. Henson, who is in the audience!

Issy Saadeh vs. Bear Bailey

Singers Issy Saadeh and Bear Bailey battled in the music soloist category, as the Southern R&B soul vocalist took on the aspiring pop artist. Issy, who works as a legal analyst in Manhattan, brought a polished pop sensibility, while Bear, who was raised inside one of Louisiana’s toughest state prisons where his parents worked as security guards, is known for infusing his performances with a raw bluesy soul.

Issy opened the round with the song “Greedy” by Tate McRae. Dressed in all white and armed with choreographed dance moves, two dancers joined him on stage. Though he seemed a bit shaky at first, Issy quickly found his footing, and his precision and musicality stood out as the routine built.

“I thought your vocal control was really beautiful,” said Teigen, who was also thrilled with the dancing. As Gellar gave her remarks about how well he performed live, Issy was visibly crying on stage. “The singers and musicians are the ones I’ll be the hardest on,” said Jelly Roll. He talked about nerves and how he was a little all over the place in the beginning, but then he found the center. “You landed the plane.”

Teigen gave four stars, while Jelly Roll and Gellar gave three stars.

Bear commanded the stage with the song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake (and Jelly Roll), and Jelly Roll immediately stood to attention. No dancing, just an honest and heartfelt performance, featuring great vocals. As he walked through the crowd, they adored him. Jelly Roll was sobbing.

Anderson noted that Bear chose the song long before Jelly Roll was announced as a judge. “I’m just an imperfect person who loves a perfect God,” Bear said, thanking the Lord for all he has and for getting him through hard times, a moment that left Jelly Roll visibly emotional.

“It was a thing of beauty for everyone to hear,” said a flustered Teigen. “We came to Star Search to find a star. We just found one,” commented an emotional Gellar. “I don’t know what was more beautiful: Watching you sing, or watching this man watch you sing.”

At this point, everyone was openly sobbing. Jelly Roll said he prayed that morning for an opportunity to talk about God, and he thanked Bear for the opportunity to talk about God that day, and the joy he felt through religion. “You took my song and made it yours.”

Teigen gave four stars, but Gellar and Jelly Roll gave him five stars, as Jelly Roll welcomed Bear to the “white-trash face tattoo club.”

Final vote: Issy got 2.5 stars for a total of 2.9 stars, and Bear got 4.5 stars for a total of 4.6 stars, the highest score so far. Bear won the battle.

The night’s winners were magician Harry Merlin Piper, aerialists Duo Vespertilio, comedian JR De Guzman, and singer Bear Bailey.

Star Search, Season 1, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9/8c