Gene Simmons has never been everyone’s cup of tea, and that now applies to fans of Dancing With the Stars. On Tuesday night, Simmons appeared as a guest judge on the ABC show, which featured a hair metal theme. However, his comments did not sit well with some viewers, who took to social media to express their displeasure. Many criticized Simmons for focusing more on the dancers’ appearances rather than their performances, with some calling his critiques “creepy” and accusing him of treating the show like a beauty pageant.
The controversy peaked after actor Reginald VelJohnson and his partner Emma Slate performed a cha cha to Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock.” Simmons’ comments about VelJohnson’s partner were seen as inappropriate, with him saying, “Hey Reggie, you’ve got a beautiful woman right beside you who can twist it and turn it and knows how to move it and all that.” Despite the backlash, the show continued with a soundtrack featuring iconic metal hits, including KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Nite,” Quiet Riot’s “Come on Feel the Noise,” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
[Source: Classic Hits Today]