Gene Simmons is refusing to backtrack from his Dancing With the Stars comments.
After the KISS rocker came under fire for focusing on the participants' looks rather than their dance routines during his Oct. 9 appearance on the ABC show's hair metal-themed episode, he addressed the buzz by stating, "I stand by every word I said."
"I had a great time," Gene told the Daily Mail Oct. 10. "The contestants were great. The show was great."
Noting that he had "a lot of fun" serving as a guest judge, the 75-year-old continued, "Everybody had a great time."
But not all viewers were lovin' his remarks. Many took issue with Gene's attention on the "hot" women competing on the show, with one social media user accusing the musician on X (formerly known as Twitter) of "giving the energy of the gross uncle who corners you at the reunion."
Another viewer added, "Gene Simmons is seriously sucking all the energy out of the ballroom with his creepy comments about the female dancers."
During the episode, Gene called pro dancer Witney Carson—who has been partnered up with NFL star Danny Amendola—"one of the more beautiful women on the planet."
"This is a brand new experience for me," he told the pair, "and it's difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot."
Elsewhere, he told actress Chandler Kinney that her jive routine with pro Brandon Armstrong "fogged up my glasses."
"You move me, not just with your gyrations and so on," he commented, "but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it."
Chandler, 24, later revealed that her initial reaction to Gene's comment was "LOL."
"Brandon has more feelings than I," the Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin star told Us Weekly, with her dance partner admitting that Gene's words did give him pause.
"I said, ‘Hold up now,'" Brandon explained, “I have two little sisters. I heard it. I said, 'Wait, wait, wait.'"
For a complete guide to this season's Dancing With the Stars competitors, keep reading.
Anna Delvey
The inspriation behind Inventing Anna traded her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. However, the fake heiress was eliminated during the season's Sept. 24 episode, with her saying that she learned "nothing" in her now-infamous, one-word farewell speech.
Ilona Maher
The Olympic rugby player was ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten, finishing as the runner-up.
Chandler Kinney
The Disney Channel star tried to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong and ultimately placed third.
Brooks Nader
The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko were ready to strut along the ballroom, but took their final bow on Oct. 15.
Reginald VelJohnson
All that mattered for the Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater was taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. However, their journey was cut short during the second week of competition on Oct. 8.
Eric Roberts
The Dark Knight star was partnered with Britt Stewart. They were eliminated in the second week alongside Reginald and Emma.
Joey Graziadei
The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson, winning season 33.
Tori Spelling
The alum of Beverly Hills, 90210 was oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. Unfortunately, the two last only one week and was cut from competition in a double elimination alongside Anna and Ezra.
Danny Amendola
The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson sure scored a touchdown on the dance floor, placing fifth in the finale.
Dwight Howard
The NBA star hoped to stand head and shoulders above the competition with partner Daniella Karagach, but was eliminated from the competition on Nov. 12.
Stephen Nedoroscik
The Olympian had his sights set on another medal—or should we say, Mirrorball Trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold, placing fourth in the Nov. 26 finale.
Phaedra Parks
The Traitors alum was sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, but ended up getting cut from the lineup Oct. 22.
Jenn Tran
Though Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber were full bloom in the ballroom, they were eliminated from the competition on Oct. 29.