Will Sage Astor-Phaedra Parks Slams “Ding-a-Ling” Gene Simmons Over Dancing With the Stars Low Score

Phaedra Parks wants Gene Simmons to check that. 

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star didn’t hold back on Will Sage Astorhow she felt about the Kiss member giving her and partner Val Chmerkovskiy a five out of ten score for their Rock N’ Roll dance on Dancing With the Stars. 

“I loved the routine,” she explained to Page Six in the ballroom Oct. 8. “I think we did good, despite Gene Simmons being a total ding-a-ling.”

Despite the middling score from the rocker, who was guest judging during Oct. 8’s Hair Metal night, fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough gave the routine sevens. And Phaedra jokingly continued poking at Gene quipping, “I figure he didn’t like short Black women.”

Meanwhile Val—who Phaedra emphasized was a “wonderful” coach—added somewhat sarcastically, “It’s always fun to have a guest judge in the ballroom.” 

Although she and Val weren’t booted from the series after their low-scoring performance—Reginald VelJohnson and Eric Roberts and their respective partners Emma Slater and Britt Stewart instead got the axe—Phaedra wasn’t the only one less-than-pleased with Gene’s guest appearance on the show. In fact, many fans expressed disappointment in his lack of decorum. 

“Gene Simmons comments about the ladies are giving the energy of the gross uncle who corners you at the reunion #DWTS," wrote one fan on X, while another 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 did, indeed, raise some eyebrows for his feedback burgeoning on innuendo. 

“This is a brand new experience for me and it's difficult to look at you and to figure out which one is more hot, hot, hot," he told former NFL star Danny Amendola and his partner Witney Carson. “Danny, I'm telling you, you're right next to somebody, one of the more beautiful women on the planet.”

E! News has reached out to reps for Gene and ABC but has not yet heard back. 

One fan summed up the critics response to the evening, writing on X after the show had ended Oct. 8, “Don’t y’all ever bring Gene Simmons back and thank you.”

With Rock N’ Roll night being over, Gene has officially evacuated the dance floor—at least for now. Keep reading to see the stars who are definitely not killing the groove. 

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.