KISS founder Gene Simmons has stirred controversy throughout his career, both intentionally and unintentionally. The 75-year-old continued this trend with his recent appearance on Dancing With the Stars.
During the broadcast, the KISS rocker made very few friends by focusing on the participant’s physical looks over the dance routines on the ballroom floor. While there were plenty of complaints and angry reactions, Simmons is steadfast.
Videos by PopCulture.com
“I stand by every word I said. I had a great time,” Simmons told The Daily Mail. “The contestants were great. The show was great. Everybody had a great time.”
During the show, Simmons called pro dancer Witney Carson “one of the more beautiful women on the planet” and continued pouring it on after. “This is a brand new experience for me,” he said during the show. “And it’s difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot.”
The audience booed the KISS rocker during the show and they weren’t much nicer online. “Gene Simmons is seriously sucking all the energy out of the ballroom with his creepy comments about the female dancers,” a viewer added. Another said he had the “energy of the gross uncle who corners you at the reunion.”
Contestant Phaedra Parks also called out Simmons after the show, with the Real Housewives of Atlanta star calling Simmons a “ding-a-ling” for the low score he gave her routine.
“I loved the routine,” Parks told Page Six. “I think we did good, despite Gene Simmons being a total ding-a-ling. I figure he didn’t like short Black women.”
More Reality
-
Photo by Fred Hayes/Disney via Getty Images -
Photo by Getty Images -
Photo by Ser Baffo/Disney via Getty Images) -
Photo by Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images -
Mel B at the "America's Got Talent" Season 21 Red Carpet held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images) -
“Reverse the Curse” – Back from tribal, tensions rise following the exit of a particularly historic player. The final five immunity challenge ends in a showdown and features one of the closest finishes the show has ever seen. Jeff reveals the outcomes of the remaining in-game fan votes and how they impact the final stage of the competition. Then, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $2 million prize, during the three-hour live season finale, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured: Aubry Bracco Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
