Why Tóth Gabi and Curtis Left Megasztár Jury This Season

The popular Hungarian talent show Megasztár is undergoing a major shake-up in its judging panel for its 2026 season, with two high-profile figures—singer Tóth Gabi and rapper Curtis—confirmed to be exiting the series. The changes mark a significant shift in the show’s lineup, which had remained largely stable in recent years. The TV2 network, which produces the program, has begun revealing its new panel, though one key member’s identity remains undisclosed.

Departures of Tóth Gabi and Curtis

The decision to replace Tóth Gabi and Curtis was first hinted at through the show’s official social media channels earlier this week. On April 26, 2026, TV2 announced that three returning judges—Herceg Erika, Dallos Bogi, and Marics Peti—would remain for the new season. However, the network withheld the name of the fourth judge, fueling speculation about who would fill the vacancies left by Tóth and Curtis.

Tóth Gabi, a well-known singer and television personality, had been a fixture on the Megasztár panel since 2025. Her departure was confirmed by multiple outlets, including Index.hu and Blikk, which reported that she would not return for the 2026 season. In a statement to Blikk, Tóth addressed the change, saying, Nem lecseréltek minket (“We were not replaced”), though she did not elaborate further on the circumstances of her exit.

Curtis, a rapper who joined the show in 2025, also will not return. His tenure on the panel was marked by controversy, including a highly publicized dispute with the family of one contestant. According to ORIGO, Curtis at one point considered leaving the show mid-season, telling reporters, Ha kötbért kell fizetni, akkor kötbért fogok fizetni (“If I have to pay a penalty, then I will pay a penalty”), a reference to potential contractual consequences for early departure. While he ultimately completed the season, his exit was confirmed alongside Tóth’s.

New Faces on the Panel

TV2 has already introduced Dallos Bogi as Tóth Gabi’s replacement. Dallos, a singer and former contestant on the RTL show X-Faktor, expressed enthusiasm for her new role in an interview with the network. She acknowledged the pressure of stepping into a well-established panel but emphasized her desire to bring a fresh perspective to the show.

Bevallom, amikor megkerestek ezzel a feladattal, hogy legyek a Megasztár egyik zsűritagja, akkor nagyon meglepődtem, különösen azért, mert néztem az előző évadot és azt gondolom, én nagyon más hangnemet és értékeket képviselek. De aztán elkezdtem egy kicsit nosztalgiázni és rájöttem arra, hogy tulajdonképpen én Oláh Ibolyáért rajongtam életemben először, hogy ott voltam az Arénában, amikor Rúzsa Magdi megnyerte ezt a műsort, illetve természetesen a férjemet, Puskás Petit is itt fedezték fel.

Dallos Bogi, in an interview with TV2

Dallos also highlighted her personal connection to the show, noting that her husband, Puskás Peti, was discovered on Megasztár. She expressed hope that her presence would help restore the show’s original spirit, which she described as a defining part of her own artistic journey.

The identity of Curtis’s replacement has not yet been revealed, though TV2 has indicated that the full panel will be announced by the end of the week. Speculation has swirled around potential candidates, but no official confirmation has been provided.

Reasons Behind the Changes

The departures of Tóth Gabi and Curtis have sparked discussion about the reasons behind the shake-up. While neither judge has publicly detailed their exits, industry observers have pointed to a combination of factors, including creative differences, contractual disputes, and the network’s desire to refresh the show’s image.

For Curtis, the controversy surrounding his interactions with contestants and their families may have played a role. His outspoken style and occasional clashes with participants were widely reported during the 2025 season, leading some to question whether his approach aligned with the show’s broader goals. Meanwhile, Tóth’s exit has been framed by some outlets as part of a broader strategy to modernize the panel, though her statement to Blikk suggests she may not fully agree with that characterization.

Political considerations have also been raised in connection with the changes. Kontroll, a Hungarian news outlet, reported that the departures of Tóth and Curtis were part of a deliberate move to distance the show from figures associated with the ruling Fidesz party. Both judges had been linked to the party in the past, and their exits have been interpreted by some as an effort to depoliticize the program. However, TV2 has not commented on these claims, and the network’s motivations remain a subject of debate.

What’s Next for Megasztár

The 2026 season of Megasztár is expected to premiere in the coming months, with the new judging panel taking center stage. The show, which has been a staple of Hungarian television since its debut in 2003, has undergone several reinventions over the years, but the current changes represent one of the most significant shifts in its recent history.

Fans of the show will likely be watching closely to see how the new panel dynamic unfolds, particularly with Dallos Bogi’s arrival. Her background as both a performer and a mentor on X-Faktor suggests she may bring a different energy to the table, though it remains to be seen how she will balance her role alongside the returning judges.

As for Tóth Gabi and Curtis, their futures in Hungarian entertainment remain unclear. Both have been prominent figures in music and television, and their absence from Megasztár will undoubtedly leave a mark on the show’s legacy. Whether they will pursue other projects or return to the spotlight in different capacities remains to be seen.

For now, the focus remains on the upcoming season and the promise of a fresh start for Megasztár. With the full panel set to be revealed soon, audiences will soon have a clearer picture of what to expect from the show’s next chapter.