Brandon Armstrong Reacts To Gene Simmons’ ‘Creepy’ Comment

Fans on social media were quick to call Simmons out, with many branding his “objectifying” feedback as “creepy” and superficial. Simmons faced backlash for focusing too much on the contestants’ looks and appearances rather than their actual dancing, sparking heated reactions from viewers.

After Tuesday’s show, “Dancing With the Stars,” pro Brandon Armstrong broke his silence about Gene Simmons’ comments about his partner, Chandler Kinney.

After Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong delivered an energetic jive to “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister, Gene Simmons stirred controversy by telling Kinney she “fogged up” his glasses.

He added, “You moved me not just with your gyrations but your beautiful face,” a comment that didn’t sit well with fans—or with Kinney’s dance partner, Brandon Armstrong.

“I said, ‘Hold up now.’ I have two little sisters. I heard it. I said, ‘Wait, wait, wait,'” he told Us Weekly after the show.

Kinney, however, didn’t seem too bothered by it. “Brandon has more feelings than I [do],” she told Us, noting that her only response was “LOL.”

His comments to Kinney were by far the only ones fans had an issue with.

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson kicked off the night with a powerful paso doble to “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi, but rather than critiquing their dance, guest judge Gene Simmons veered off course. He remarked, “It’s difficult to look at both of you and to figure out which one is more hot hot hot. You are right next to somebody who… one more beautiful woman on the planet. She makes you look good.”

As Simmons shared his comments, pro dancer Witney Carson appeared visibly uncomfortable, glancing around awkwardly and trying to laugh it off.

Plus, when judging Erik Roberts and Britt Stewart’s paso doble to “Cherry Pie” by Warrant, Gene Simmons’ feedback fell short of dance critique, as he fixated on Erik’s partner, remarking how he had a “pretty girl in hand.”

Fans on social media were quick to call out Gene Simmons, labeling his “objectifying” comments as “creepy” and superficial. Many accused him of placing too much emphasis on looks and appearances instead of the actual dancing, sparking widespread criticism of his remarks.

“What were you thinking having Gene Simmons as a guest judge?! GROSS,” one Instagram user said.

“Gene Simmons has GOT TO GO,” another expressed, as a third called his “objectifying” comments “creepy.”

The comments continued to pour in, with one social media user commenting on a video shared by “DWTS,” “Please never have Gene on again. Misogyny on display all night. Took away from the dancing.”

Another wrote, “get gene out of here please.”

“Worst guest judge ever. Many of his comments were inappropriate for a ‘family show,'” a third said. “Plus, he doesn’t have the knowledge to judge a dance show.”

“Petition to get gene apart of the double elimination,” a fourth commented.

Armstrong and Kinney have maintained their lead week after week since the premiere of Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” last month.

Following their performance on Tuesday, Kinney candidly discussed the pressure that accompanies consistently high scores from the judges, acknowledging that while the praise is gratifying, it also brings added stress to meet the expectations set for them each week.

“I just try to disassociate and pretend it’s my own little world. I think, honestly, at some point that’s the healthiest thing that you can do,” she told Us. “Just focus on you and your partner and block out the rest. That’s kind of what I’ve been trying to do every week. … That’s been my strategy.”

She praised her professional partner for being “a great anchor,” referring to him as “the calm in the storm” that helps her navigate the pressures of the competition each week.