Sarah Michelle Gellar on ‘Star Search’ Judging, ‘Buffy’ Continuation, and Finding Balance

Sarah Michelle Gellar is navigating a busy period, balancing her role as a judge on the revived Netflix competition series “Star Search” with the upcoming continuation of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” She’s also reflecting on her career and prioritizing family life.

‘Star Search’ and a Full-Circle Moment

Gellar appears alongside Chrissy Teigen and Jelly Roll as judges on the fresh iteration of “Star Search,” which airs live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. The show features contestants competing in singing, dance, comedy, and variety acts, with viewers voting in real time through the streaming platform. Unlike previous versions, the Netflix revival allows for live global voting directly through the platform, eliminating the need for apps or phone numbers.

Gellar revealed a personal connection to the show, sharing that she and John Legend both auditioned for the original “Star Search” and were not selected. “That’s why I’m back now to fix the mistakes of the past,” she joked.

She described her experience as a judge, noting that she initially took on the role of the “mean judge” but that shifted when Chrissy Teigen gave a lower score than her own. “So, I feel like it’s now a little bit more even,” Gellar said.

The competition has become a family affair, with Gellar’s children regularly watching and offering their opinions, sometimes disagreeing with her scores.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale’ – A Continuation, Not a Reboot

Gellar is also involved in a continuation of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,” alongside Chloé Zhao. She clarified that the series is neither a sequel nor a reboot, but a continuation of the original story.

“It’s not a sequel, it’s not a reboot — it’s a continuation,” Gellar explained on the “Shut Up, Evan Podcast.” “It’s not picking up with all of the same characters right away… It is not like a sequel… That’s why the name was even important to me — Buffy: New Sunnydale. It’s Buffy, but it’s also something else.”

Gellar initially hesitated to revisit the role but has since embraced the project, recognizing the enduring resonance of the original series. “I will eat my words, and I’m OK with that — I learned my lesson,” she said. “I never saw how and why it could be as good [as the original series]. I’m not trying to be better. I just want to hold and honor the memory and what we created.”

Finding Balance and Returning to Acting

Gellar took a break from acting to prioritize her family, ensuring she didn’t miss important moments in her children’s lives. “I needed to take a break. And I’m so glad I did on so many levels,” she said. “Like, first of all, I’ll never get that time back with my kids. I didn’t miss a show, a performance, a first step, a lost tooth.”

She feels ready to return to work now that her children are older. “I think, you know, I took a lot of years off… and I think I feel like I’m first getting my sea legs back now and like ready to work now that my kids are older.”

Upcoming Projects

In addition to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale” and “Star Search,” Gellar will appear in the horror sequel “Ready or Not 2: Here I Reach,” which is set to release this spring.