Rock Legend Booed: Gene Simmons’ Mixed Reception on Dancing With the Stars
Gene Simmons faced a rather frosty reception during his guest judging appearance on Dancing With the Stars, a popular reality dance competition that pairs celebrities with professional dancers.
On Tuesday evening, the show celebrated Hair Metal Night, and Simmons, best known as the iconic bassist and frontman of Kiss, was invited to lend his expertise. However, the rock legend quickly became the target of boos from the audience after revealing his score for actor Reginald VelJohnson, who danced a lively cha cha to the rousing anthem “I Wanna Rock” by Twisted Sister alongside pro partner Emma Slater. While VelJohnson received a respectable score of 6 from judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Simmons, along with fellow judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, rated him lower with scores of 5.
The crowd’s dissatisfaction began to surface when Hough announced his score, but it reached a crescendo when Simmons followed suit, prompting a chorus of boos from the live audience.
Before the scores were tallied, Gene Simmons took a moment to compliment VelJohnson. The beloved actor, known for his roles in Family Matters and Die Hard, had shared with co-host Julianne Hough that he had channeled Simmons’ larger-than-life persona for his performance. “Hey Reggie, you have a beautiful partner beside you who can twist it and turn it, and knows how to move,” Simmons said with a grin. “But I want to tell you, as someone who’s been on stages around the world for half a century, I’m kind of a big deal, Reggie. It’s all about the attitude. You’ve got something in that beautiful face; the audience loves you.”
Despite being in the lower score range for much of the season, VelJohnson has garnered a loyal fanbase thanks to his charm and charisma. Inaba pointed out this unique appeal during her commentary, stating, “You blow my mind, okay? There’s something about you that is just so engaging to watch. You’re doing the fewest steps of anybody else in this competition, but somehow we’re all so with you, and that is worth mentioning, right?”
The juxtaposition of Simmons’ rock-star bravado against VelJohnson’s more understated style has sparked discussions among fans and critics alike. Many are debating whether the audience’s reaction to Simmons was a reflection of their affection for VelJohnson or perhaps a commentary on the judging styles of celebrity guest judges.
As the competition heats up, each performance becomes increasingly crucial for contestants as they seek to impress both the judges and the audience. With only a few weeks left in season 33, the pressure is on for VelJohnson and his fellow competitors to elevate their game.
Dancing With the Stars continues to blend entertainment with spectacle, and as the season progresses, viewers can anticipate even more memorable moments on the dance floor.
