Gene Simmons Facing Backlash Due to Comments Made During DWTS Appearance

Gene Simmons has drawn controversy over remarks he made to contestants on Dancing With the Stars while serving as a guest judge on the show's hair metal episode.

By Corinne Heller Oct 09, 2024 4:37 PM
| Updated Oct 10, 2024 1:29 PM
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Watch: Gene Simmons Under Fire For Controversial Comments During DWTS Appearance

Not all the Dancing With the Stars fans were made for lovin' Gene Simmons.

So after the KISS rocker commented on many of the contestants' looks while serving as a guest judge for the dance competition’s hair metal-themed episode Oct. 8, several viewers had plenty of say and shouted it out loud.

"Gene Simmons comments about the ladies are giving the energy of the gross uncle who corners you at the reunion #DWTS," one person tweeted, while another person wrote, "Gene Simmons is seriously sucking all the energy out of the ballroom with his creepy comments about the female dancers."

After all, Simmons raised eyebrows when using his critique of the contestants' dance routines to compliment several of the participants—most notably, the women.

"This is a brand new experience for me and it's difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot," the 75-year-old told retired NFL star Danny Amendola and pro dancer Witney Carson. "Danny, I'm telling you, you're right next to somebody, one of the more beautiful women on the planet."

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Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Cast

 

And after actress Chandler Kinney and pro dancer Brandon Armstrong performed a Jive routine set to a cover of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It, Simmons told the 24-year-old, "Chandler, you've fogged up my glasses. I don't know what to tell you. You move me, not just with your gyrations and so on, but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it."

Disney/Eric McCandless

E! News has reached out to reps for Simmons and ABC for comment and has not heard back.

Meanwhile, following the show, Kinney and Armstrong shared their thoughts on the rocker's comments.

"Brandon has more feelings than I," the Pretty Little Liars actress told Us, noted that her only response was “LOL.”

But as Armstrong admitted, hearing Simmons’ words gave him pause. "I said, ‘Hold up now,'” he explained, “I have two little sisters. I heard it. I said, 'Wait, wait, wait.'"

To see who's competing this season, 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.

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