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Derek Hough reprimands Gene Simmons for judging Phaedra Parks on “DWTS.”


Derek Hough reprimands Gene Simmons for judging Phaedra Parks on “DWTS.”

Derek Hough won't allow guest judges to cast shade on the event Dancing with the stars Participant.

On Tuesday's “Dedication Night” episode of the dance competition, he clapped back at guest judge Gene Simmons, making a subtle dig at Simmons' score in last week's episode.

Derek Hough on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Disney


On the “Hair Metal Night” episode, Simmons drew a lot of heat for his comments about the looks of female contestants, his bizarre blanket judgment, and his perceived favoritism toward those he thought were hot.

Nothing was more controversial than his score for Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy's paso doble to “You Give Love a Bad Name.” While the other judges unanimously gave the duo a seven, Simmons gave it a five.

Many fans thought the low score was blatantly racist, and Parks alluded to it in her post-show interviews. Tuesday night's episode featured a clip of her saying, “Simmons can kiss my peach,” noting that they deserved better than an F.

Hough apparently agreed, because when it came time to judge Parks and Chmerkovskiy's rumba to “Because You Love Me,” he first held up a five-card, broke it, and threw it across the ballroom, obliterating Simmons' score from the latter Week discarded.

Val Chmerkovskiy and Phaedra Parks on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Disney


Hough's actual score for the couple's dance to Celine Dion's title on Tuesday night was an eight, confirmed by the remaining judges, giving the duo a total of 32, their highest score to date.

Despite all the controversy surrounding his comments, Simmons defended his position, saying: “I stand by every word I said. I had a great time. The participants were great. The show was great. Everyone had a great time.”

But if Hough's reaction with his scorecard is any indication, that apparently wasn't the case for everyone.

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Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

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