Gene Simmons Doubles Down onDancing with the StarsComments After Backlash: 'I Stand by Every Word'

Mar. 15, 2025

Gene Simmons on the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ set on Oct. 8, 2024.Photo:Disney/Eric McCandless

Disney/Eric McCandless

On the Oct. 9 episode ofDancing with the Starsfor “Hair Metal Night,” the KISS legend was invited as a guest judge and had a lot to say about the contestants' appearances — earning backlash for his statements.

He called one dancer “hot, hot, hot,” and said another contestant moved him “not just with your gyrations and so on, but your beautiful face.”

“Everybody’s got something to say,” added the musician. “Watch the show. It was a lot of fun. Everybody had a great time.”

Gene Simmons and the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judges on Oct. 8, 2024.Disney/Eric McCandless

Former NFL playerDanny Amendolaand dancerWitney Carson’s performance was met with Simmons telling them, “It’s difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot.”

“Danny, I’m telling you, you’re right next to somebody, one of the more beautiful women on the planet,” he added.

Gene Simmons performing with KISS at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 1, 2023.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The 75-year-old rocker also told24-year-oldPretty Little Liarsactress Chandler Kinney, “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.”

In April, SimmonsdefendedDance MomsalumJoJo Siwaafter her drastic rebrand came with a new look that resembled his iconic black-and-white KISS garb. “JoJo is cool. Anybody who doesn’t get it is just jealous, period,” he said in an interview withTMZ. “Never be ordinary. Always be extraordinary. JoJo is extraordinary, and she looks cool.”

source: people.com