Gene Simmons, the retired bassist and singer of KISS, stirred controversy during his guest judging appearance on “Hair Metal Night” of Dancing With the Stars on October 8. Known for his flamboyant persona and reputation as a womanizer, Simmons faced criticism for focusing more on the physical appearance of contestants rather than their dance performances.
Simmons received a wave of boos after scoring actor Reginald VelJohnson a mere 5 for his cha-cha performance to Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock.” Viewers reacted negatively to Simmons’ low score and echoed the sentiments of the studio audience, who were displeased that fellow judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli gave the same score, while Carrie Ann Inaba was more generous with a 6.
Before VelJohnson’s dance, Simmons complimented him, saying, “You’ve got a beautiful woman right beside you,” but later, he shifted focus to commenting on the attractiveness of female dancers. This approach led to backlash, with many viewers branding his remarks as “creepy” and likening his comments to those of a “gross uncle” at a family reunion.
Comments on social media expressed disappointment, with some calling for ABC to apologize for allowing Simmons to judge in such a manner. Critics highlighted that he treated the competition like a beauty pageant, focusing on looks rather than the performance itself. Some viewers found his comments particularly disconcerting, suggesting that his behavior undermined the spirit of the show.
Simmons has a history of controversial remarks about women, including comments made in a 2017 interview where he suggested that leveraging sexuality is a significant advantage for women in their careers. His track record on such topics has made him a polarizing figure.
As KISS completed its final tour, Simmons has continued to make headlines for his outspoken views. This recent incident on Dancing With the Stars adds to the ongoing discussion around the appropriateness of guest judges and the treatment of contestants in competitive settings.