GENE SIMMONS Once Again Defends His ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Comments…. see more..
Gene Simmons, the 75-year-old bassist and co-lead singer of KISS, recently faced criticism for comments made during his guest judging appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS). On the October 9, 2024, “Hair Metal Night” episode, Simmons’ remarks focused on the physical appearances of female contestants, which many viewers found inappropriate.
During the show, Simmons commented on the performance of former NFL player Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson, stating, “It’s difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot.” He added, “Danny, I’m telling you, you’re right next to somebody, one of the more beautiful women on the planet.” Carson appeared visibly uncomfortable following these remarks.
In another instance, Simmons addressed 24-year-old actress Chandler Kinney after her performance, saying, “Chandler, you’ve fogged up my glasses. I don’t know what to … .”
These comments sparked backlash from viewers and fellow judges, who deemed them “creepy” and inappropriate for the family-oriented show. Critics expressed concerns that Simmons’ feedback was based more on contestants’ attractiveness than their dancing skills.
Despite the criticism, Simmons defended his remarks in an interview with the Daily Mail, stating, “I stand by every word … . I had a great time. The … .” He added, “Everybody’s got something to … .”
Fellow judge Derek Hough subtly addressed the controversy in a subsequent episode. While critiquing a performance by Phaedra Parks and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Hough held up a scorecard marked with the number five—the score Simmons had previously given the couple—broke it, and awarded them an eight instead. This gesture was interpreted as a rebuke of Simmons’ earlier comments and scoring.
Simmons’ appearance on DWTS has ignited discussions about the appropriateness of guest judges’ comments, especially regarding contestants’ appearances, and the importance of maintaining a respectful and professional atmosphere on family-oriented television programs.
