Norwalk Resident Wins 'Star Search' TV Competition, $500K Grand Prize

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk resident was crowned the "Star Search" grand champion during the rebooted variety competition show's live finale, which aired this week on Netflix.

Over the past four weeks, TJ Salta, 24, of Norwalk, continuously impressed judges Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen and Jelly Roll and host Anthony Anderson with his magic and mentalist act.

Salta ultimately made it to the show's final episode, where he won out over eight other contestants.

The win not only named Salta the show's grand champion, but also earned him a $500,000 prize.

"A varsity athlete turned Las Vegas magician, TJ Salta blends street-style charisma with close-up sleight of hand and real-time mind reading," a description provided by Netflix reads. "His high-energy performances feel less like tricks and more like a superpower demonstrated live."

During the opening moments of the finale, Salta expressed his excitement for having made it all the way to the final round of the competition.

"One person is going home with half a million dollars," Salta said. "That's starting to become more real."

Anderson noted viewers in 184 countries had been voting across the season to show their support for their favorite performers.

While the judges typically give out stars during the performances, the winners of the finale were voted on solely by viewers.

The eight remaining champions in the final round, which included Salta, first battled across four head-to-head competitions.

A winner of each competition was picked by viewers, who then returned later in the show as viewers voted on who of the final four acts would be crowned the grand champion.

Salta first competed against comedian Janine Harouni, during which he amazed the judges with an impressive act involving disappearing and reappearing rings, as well as a falcon.

He also dedicated the performance to his grandfather, whom he credited with showing him his first magic trick.

"I've been here since day one," Salta said during the show. "I fought challenger after challenger after challenger. I feel like my whole life has led up to this moment, and falling short would be devastating."

Anderson described Salta as "the mentalist magician who's been blowing the minds of the entire world every week, always leaving us thinking 'how did he do that?'"

Salta ultimately scored a 4.32 against Harouni's 3.49, placing him into the top four, where he competed against fellow magician Harry Merlin Piper, singer Steven "Spud" Howard and performance pair Duo Vespertilio for the grand champion title.

Prior to the final votes being revealed, Anderson asked Salta what appearing on "Star Search" meant to him.

"It's such an honor, especially to have been here since day one," Salta said. "Just to share my passion five times with you guys and have the support and just bring happiness through the world, that is why I believe I was put here. I'm just grateful."

Once the votes from around the world were finalized, Anderson revealed Duo Vespertilio had finished fourth, Howard finished third and Piper had come in second, officially revealing Salta as the grand champion.

After being crowned the winner, an emotional Salta said he felt "blessed and so grateful" to be the season's grand champion.

"This is real magic right here," Salta said. "I love you guys."

Salta grew up in Norwalk and attended All Saints Catholic School, where he graduated in 2015, according to a Facebook post by the school congratulating him on the win.

Salta later attended the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering, or AITE, in Stamford and graduated in 2019, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Salta's website describes the Norwalk native as a "cinematic illusionist redefining modern magic for a global stage."

According to the website, Salta previously made history as the youngest professional magician to headline nightly on the Las Vegas Strip, performing in Cirque du Soleil's "Mad Apple." His work has also been featured at Super Bowl LVI, the NFL Draft and the NHL Stanley Cup.

"His approach moves beyond classic magic tropes — focusing instead on atmosphere, precision, and emotional impact," the website's description reads.