Black Celebrities Who Got Their Start on ‘Star Search’
Before social media could make you famous, competition TV was one of the best ways to make it big in Hollywood. and the 1983 show “Star Search” launched the careers of multiple Black icons. Now, in 2026, Netflix is bringing the show back!
Last month, the streaming giant announced the reboot of the iconic competition show. “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson is set to host, introducing the hopeful stars to audiences live on Netflix every Tuesday and Wednesday. In excitement for the Netflix reboot, we are taking a look back at some of the Black entertainment icons who got their start on “Star Search.”
Billy Porter
In a 2021 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, “Pose” star Billy Porter reflected on winning “Star Search” in the singing category in 1992. He added that he used the $100,000 prize money to “fix his teeth.”
“After taxes, it was $44,000, and I didn’t have a financial person to talk me through it. I’m from the hood, so I didn’t know what to do. I should’ve bought an apartment in Midtown; I didn’t know that was what you were supposed to do with your money, so it just sat in the bank, and I got my teeth fixed, because I was trying to be a movie star. So, thank you, ‘Star Search,’ for my teeth.”
Tatyana Ali
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali was another “Star Search” champion. In 1983, Ali won the show with a four-star rating at just 7 years old, according to IMDb.
Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle is one of multiple comics who got their start on the show. According to the lifestyle publication First For Women, the “Half Baked” star went on “Star Search” in 1993. He may not have won, but he still went on to have a very successful comedy career.
Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence is another comic who made it all the way to the final round but lost in the end. However, his performance managed to capture the eye of executives at Columbia TV, who offered him his first acting job as Maurice Warfield in “What’s Happening Now!!”, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Aaliyah
The late pop icon Aaliyah appeared on “Star Search” in 1989 at 10 years old, and she performed “My Funny Valentine” by Ella Fitzgerald. Even at her young age, Aaliyah had powerful vocals to captivate audiences.
Usher
Usher was awarded the title of best teen vocalist when he graced the “Star Search” stage in 1991. His successful time on the show led to him securing a record deal with label executive L.A. Reid, according to Screen Rant.
Beyoncé
Before Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé was hitting the “Star Search” stage in 1993 as part of the hip-hop group Girls Tyme. Their time on the show didn’t last long, as the group lost to another band called the Skeleton Crew, according to Vox.
Kelly Rowland
Performing alongside Beyoncé in Girls Tyme was a young Kelly Rowland. In 2019, Rowland told Business Insider that she cried after they lost the competition.
“We just cried so hard, because we were so excited about the opportunity and everything. But also beyond that, we still felt there was something inside that was just like, ‘No, we’re still going to make it,” Rowland said.
Sinbad
@retro__dump
80sTV: Sinbad Performs On “Star Search” • December 22, 1984 A young, emerging talent at the time, comedy icon #Sinbad returns as the defending champion, looking to secure his 2nd straight victory. Also, that blue “Thriller” jacket
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Before Sinbad was making folks laugh as Coach Walter Oakes on “A Different World,” he was trying to get his big break as a comedian on “Star Search” in 1983. He lost to comedian John Kassir in the final round, but it still helped to launch his career, according to IMDB
Countess Vaughn
At nine years of age, “The Parkers” star Countess Vaughn walked away with the crown for junior vocalist champion in 1988, according to IMDb. For the semi-finals, she sang Dionne Warwick’s ’60s hit “What the World Needs Now.”
Tommy Davidson
“In Living Color” star Tommy Davidson appeared on the show in 1988 but lost to comedian and “Zoolander” writer Drake Sather.
Loni Love
Comedian Loni Love was on the 2003 reboot of “Star Search,” hosted by Arsenio Hall. Although she didn’t win, she wrote in an Instagram post that it was the best loss she’s ever taken.
“It turned out to be the best loss because I was able to work immediately in television and booked VH1 ‘I Love the ’80s’ instead of being held to a contract and not working for a year. Sometimes a loss is a win,” Love wrote.
Tiffany Evans
R&B singer Tiffany Evans was also on the 2003 reboot of “Star Search,” and she won the crown for junior vocalist with a perfect score.
