Gene Simmons, the retired bassist and singer of KISS, made headlines during his guest judging appearance on the “Hair Metal Night” episode of Dancing With the Stars on October 8. While known for his flamboyant persona and outspoken nature, some viewers criticized Simmons for his comments focusing more on the appearance of female contestants rather than their performances.
Simmons faced backlash after scoring actor Reginald VelJohnson, who performed a cha cha routine to Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock,” with a low score of 5. This decision did not sit well with the audience, who overwhelmingly booed him during the live broadcast. Fellow judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli also awarded the same score, but Carrie Ann Inaba rated VelJohnson a more favorable 6, leading to further discontent among the viewers.
Before the dance, Simmons had praised VelJohnson for having a “beautiful woman” by his side, emphasizing the importance of attitude and presence on stage. Despite his compliments, the low score and subsequent criticism garnered significant audience reaction.
Viewers expressed their discomfort with Simmons’ remarks on social media, labeling his comments as “creepy” and suggesting he treated the performances like a beauty pageant. He made statements comparing the looks of contestants, claiming he couldn’t decide which among them was more attractive, and told actress Chandler Kinney that her performance “fogged up” his glasses.
Many fans took to social media platforms to voice their disapproval, indicating that Simmons’ comments overshadowed the performances and contributed to a negative atmosphere. Some called for ABC to apologize, while others humorously likened Simmons’ remarks to those of an uncomfortable family member at a gathering.
Simmons has a history of controversial comments about women, which includes statements from his 2017 book discussing how women can leverage their sexuality for success. His perspectives have drawn criticism, and his recent remarks during the show have reignited discussions around the appropriateness of such comments in current entertainment contexts.
KISS recently concluded their “End of the Road Tour,” marking the band’s final performances after five decades in the industry. Following this, they sold their name, image, and likeness rights and are set to launch a virtual performance in Las Vegas in 2027.