Gene Simmons Hit With Backlash After ‘DWTS’ Comments

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Gene Simmons is under fire for some bizarre comments he made during an appearance on Dancing With the Stars.

Simmons, 75, who was the bassist and co-lead vocalist of famed rock band KISS, appeared on the reality dance competition show for its Hair Metal Night episode, which broadcast live on Tuesday, October 8. But during the show, Simmons commented more on the dancers and contestants’ looks than about their abilities.

During one portion of the night, Simmons told one dancing pair — retired NFL football center Danny Amendola and dance troupe member Witney Carson — “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.”

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

Later in the night, he told actress Chandler Kinney, whose dance partner is Brandon Armstrong, “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.”

Needless to say, these comments did not go over well with viewers.

Very early on in the episode, fans were ready for Simmons to go.

“it’s only the first dance and i’m already over gene simmons being a creep,” said one viewer on X (formerly Twitter)

“gene simmons telling someone FIFTY ONE YEARS YOUNGER THAN HIM that she steamed up his glasses is absolutely disgusting,” said another.

Another viewer was willing to put their disdain aside for one of the show’s dancers if it meant giving Simmons his just desserts.

“i’ll take back every mean thing I’ve ever said about Derek Hough if he whacks Gene Simmons with a paddle the next time he gets fresh,” they said.

At the time of writing, Simmons has not issued a response to the backlash from viewers.