The Unwavering Defense: Gene Simmons Stands By "Creepy" DWTS Comments And The Shocking Backlash

The legendary KISS bassist and co-lead vocalist, Gene Simmons, ignited a firestorm of controversy following his October 2024 guest-judging appearance on ABC’s *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS), during the show’s highly anticipated Hair Metal Night. The musician's feedback to the contestants quickly drew accusations of being "creepy" and "misogynistic," sparking a massive public backlash that dominated entertainment headlines. As of today, December 12, 2025, Simmons has not only refused to apologize but has repeatedly and firmly doubled down on his remarks, stating unequivocally, "I stand by every word I said," turning a one-time reality TV appearance into a lasting debate about appropriate commentary and the nature of compliments in the modern era. Simmons's appearance was meant to inject a dose of rock-and-roll energy into the competition, but his focus on the female dancers' physical appearances over their technical skill quickly derailed the evening, leaving both the audience and co-judges like Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba visibly uncomfortable. The controversy has since become a prime example of the clash between old-school rock star bravado and contemporary television standards, with Simmons defending his comments as merely offering "compliments" to beautiful women.

Gene Simmons: Biography and Profile Overview

Chaim Witz, known professionally as Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the "Demon" persona, the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the iconic hard rock band KISS, which he co-founded in the early 1970s.

• Full Name: Chaim Witz
• Stage Name: Gene Simmons
• Date of Birth: August 25, 1949
• Place of Birth: Tirat Carmel, Israel
• Nationality: Israeli-American
• Known For: Co-founder, bassist, and co-lead vocalist of KISS; his signature "Demon" stage persona; his extraordinarily long tongue; reality television star (*Gene Simmons Family Jewels*).
• Spouse: Shannon Tweed (m. 2011)
• Children: Nick Simmons, Sophie Simmons
• Career Highlights: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2014) with KISS; selling over 100 million records worldwide; extensive business ventures including Simmons Records and various merchandising.
• Recent Activity (2024/2025): Continuing to manage the KISS brand and legacy post-farewell tour; various media appearances, including the controversial guest-judging role on *Dancing with the Stars*.

The Controversial Comments That Sparked The DWTS Backlash

The core of the controversy stems from Gene Simmons's commentary during the October 8, 2024, Hair Metal Night episode of DWTS. While the other judges, including Derek Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, focused on technique, choreography, and artistic expression, Simmons repeatedly steered his feedback toward the physical attributes of the professional dancers and celebrity partners. His remarks were widely criticized for being inappropriate for a family-friendly dance competition.

Focusing on Appearance Over Performance

Simmons's critiques often began or ended with comments on beauty, rather than the intricate dance routines. For instance, in one notable interaction, he told actor Reginald Johnson that he had "a beautiful woman beside you," referring to his professional partner, Peta Murgatroyd, a comment that seemed to diminish Murgatroyd's professional role.

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He was also quoted as telling another contestant, "Besides being beautiful, you move me, not just with your gyrations and so on, but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it." Critics immediately labeled this type of language as objectifying, arguing that it reduced the skilled professional dancers to mere eye candy. The use of the word "gyrations" was particularly singled out by viewers as being "creepy" and out of touch with the show's tone.

The backlash was swift and severe across social media platforms. Fans of the show voiced their displeasure, with many calling for ABC to issue an apology for the remarks. Some media outlets even dubbed Simmons the "Worst Guest Judge in DWTS History," a title that underscored the depth of the public’s frustration with his performance.

Gene Simmons’ Unwavering Defense: “I Stand By Every Word I Said”

The controversy did not end with the episode's broadcast. In the days and weeks following his DWTS appearance, Gene Simmons addressed the backlash directly and unapologetically. His firm stance has kept the story fresh and continues to fuel the debate.

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In multiple interviews, the KISS frontman made it clear that he had no regrets about his choice of words. "I stand by every word I said," Simmons declared, emphasizing that he had a "great time" on the show.

The 'Alternative Is We Ignore All Women' Argument

Simmons's defense quickly evolved beyond simply standing by his words to a broader philosophical argument about the nature of offering compliments. In a more recent follow-up statement in early 2025, he defended his actions by framing the criticism as an overreaction to simple admiration.

He argued that if he were to stop complimenting women on their beauty, the only alternative would be to "ignore all women, never compliment you." This LSI keyword-rich statement positions his controversial remarks as a necessary part of social interaction, contrasting sharply with the view of critics who saw them as a form of casual misogyny.

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This defense highlights a key generational and cultural divide. Simmons, a figure whose public persona was built on the excess and bravado of 1970s and 80s rock culture, seems to view his comments through a lens of traditional flattery. Conversely, the modern reality TV audience and critics view such unsolicited, appearance-focused commentary, especially in a professional setting, as inappropriate and demeaning to the dancers' talent and hard work. The entire incident serves as a microcosm of the ongoing societal discussion about shifting boundaries in public discourse.

The DWTS Judges and Contestants Reaction

While the DWTS judges—including veterans Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli—maintained their professional composure, there were clear signs of discomfort and disapproval during the broadcast.

• Subtle Disapproval: The regular judges often had to redirect the conversation back to the technical aspects of the dance, subtly correcting the tone set by the guest judge.
• The Scores: Simmons's scores were often criticized for being harsh and inconsistent, further alienating him from the show's established judging panel and format.
• Contestant Focus: The professional dancers and celebrity contestants, who included figures like Alyson Hannigan and Harry Jowsey, largely remained silent on the matter, choosing to focus on the competition rather than engage in the controversy surrounding the KISS bassist.

The entire episode became a moment of television that transcended the dance competition itself, becoming a viral topic that questioned the role of celebrity guest judges and the type of commentary deemed acceptable on mainstream reality television. Despite the public outcry and the "creepy" label, Gene Simmons's unwavering conviction that his words were harmless "compliments" ensures this DWTS controversy will remain a memorable and divisive moment in the show’s history.