Gene Simmons Breaks Silence on Dancing With the Stars Controversial Comments

Gene Simmons is refusing to backtrack from his Dancing With the Stars comments.

After the KISS rocker came under fire for focusing on the participants' looks rather than their dance routines during his Oct. 9 appearance on the ABC show's hair metal-themed episode, he addressed the buzz by stating, "I stand by every word I said."

"I had a great time," Gene told the Daily Mail Oct. 10. "The contestants were great. The show was great."

Noting that he had "a lot of fun" serving as a guest judge, the 75-year-old continued, "Everybody had a great time."

But not all viewers were lovin' his remarks. Many took issue with Gene's attention on the "hot" women competing on the show, with one social media user accusing the musician on X (formerly known as Twitter) of "giving the energy of the gross uncle who corners you at the reunion."

Another viewer added, "Gene Simmons is seriously sucking all the energy out of the ballroom with his creepy comments about the female dancers."

During the episode, Gene called pro dancer Witney Carson—who has been partnered up with NFL star Danny Amendola—"one of the more beautiful women on the planet."

"This is a brand new experience for me," he told the pair, "and it's difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot."

Elsewhere, he told actress Chandler Kinney that her jive routine with pro Brandon Armstrong "fogged up my glasses."

"You move me, not just with your gyrations and so on," he commented, "but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it."

Chandler, 24, later revealed that her initial reaction to Gene's comment was "LOL."

"Brandon has more feelings than I," the Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin star told Us Weekly, with her dance partner admitting that Gene's words did give him pause.

"I said, ‘Hold up now,'" Brandon explained, “I have two little sisters. I heard it. I said, 'Wait, wait, wait.'"

For a complete guide to this season's Dancing With the Stars competitors, keep reading.

The inspriation behind Inventing Anna will trade her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. 

The Olympic rugby player is ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten. 

The Disney Channel star will try to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong. 

The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko are ready to strut along the ballroom. 

The Dark Knight star is partnered with Britt Stewart. 

All that matters for this Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater is taking home the mirrorball trophy. 

The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson. 

The alum of 90210 is oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. 

The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson are sure to score a touchdown on the dance floor. 

The NBA star is sure to stand head and shoulders above the competitoin with partner & Daniella Karagach. 

The Olympian has his sights set on another medal—or should we say mirrorball trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold. 

The Traitors alum is sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. 

The Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber will be in full bloom in the ballroom. 

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