Gene Simmons Sparks Controversy as Guest Judge on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
When the official Dancing with the Stars social media account announced that legendary KISS frontman Gene Simmons would be joining the show as a guest judge, reactions were mixed. While some fans were excited to see the rock icon on the panel, others were skeptical about how his presence would impact the show’s overall tone.
During the “Hair Metal Night” episode, Chandler Kinney and her dance partner, Brandon Armstrong, took the stage for their performance. After they finished, Simmons made a comment that raised eyebrows. “Chandler, you fogged up my glasses,” he remarked, adding to the growing list of eyebrow-raising remarks throughout the night. However, he did go on to praise the performance, saying, “You moved me, not just with your gyrations and so on, but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it — top to bottom.”
A clip of Simmons’ comments quickly made its way to TikTok, where a user shared multiple snippets of his critiques throughout the episode. One particular comment that caught attention was directed at contestant Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson. Simmons openly admitted that judging the performances was a new experience for him, saying, “You know, this is a brand new experience for me, and it’s difficult to look at both of you and figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot.”
Simmons then turned his attention to Amendola directly, making a remark that left some viewers cringing. “Danny, you’re standing next to one of the most stunning women on the earth, I’m telling you. She enhances your appearance. You need to go to the gym, buddy. It’s imperative that you enter there.”
The rock legend continued with similar comments as he evaluated Reginald VelJohnson and his dance partner, Emma Slater. In yet another TikTok clip from the evening, Simmons commented, “You’ve got a beautiful woman right beside you, who can twist and turn and knows how to move it and, you know, all that.”
Despite his controversial remarks, some of the contestants, including VelJohnson, took his presence in stride. The Family Matters star responded playfully, acknowledging Simmons’ legacy in the entertainment industry. “I wanna tell you, as a guy that’s been on the stage for half a century around the world—I’m kind of a big deal, Reggie,” Simmons joked. VelJohnson added, “You have something in that lovely face, and it’s all in the attitude—they adore you!”
However, not all fans were amused. The comments section of the TikTok videos quickly filled with criticism. Many viewers felt Simmons’ remarks were inappropriate and detracted from the performances. One person wrote, “The worst judge to be a guest! […] His grades were solely determined by his outward look—not by ability or skill. DWTS made a terrible choice. He ought to be barred from judging in the future!”
Another viewer chimed in, saying, “This was just creepy. He made the whole episode uncomfortable. Can we please bring in someone who actually understands dance?”
While some fans found Simmons’ unfiltered personality entertaining, others felt his commentary was out of place for a show that celebrates technical skill and artistry. The debate has since sparked discussions online about what qualities a guest judge should bring to the table and whether Dancing with the Stars made the right decision in inviting Simmons to the panel.
Simmons is no stranger to controversy, having built his career on an over-the-top rock persona, but his stint as a guest judge has left fans divided. Some believe he was merely playing up his signature bravado, while others argue that his remarks were inappropriate for the context of a family-friendly dance competition.
Regardless of where people stand, one thing is clear: Gene Simmons’ guest appearance on Dancing with the Stars is one that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
What do you think? Did Gene Simmons’ presence add excitement to the episode, or was he out of line? Let us know your thoughts!
