Brandon Armstrong And Chandler Kinney We weren’t expecting a guest judge Gene Simmons‘ strong reaction to her Dancing with the stars Perfomance.

“I’m already getting beaten up for this,” Armstrong, 30, said exclusively Us weekly on Tuesday, Oct. 8, after he and Kinney, 24, performed a jive to Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” at Hair Metal Night.

Ultimately, the couple received a score of 33 out of 40, but when Simmons, 75, criticized his dancing, he raised eyebrows and commented on Kinney. The rocker said the routine “fogged up” his glasses, but Kinney wasn’t fazed.

“Brandon has more feelings than I do,” she said Us after the show and noted that her only response was “LOL.”

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The Dancing With the Stars artists rocked the ballroom during Hair Metal Night before two duos had to say goodbye to their mirrorball dreams. Gene Simmons, the bassist and co-lead singer of the glam metal band KISS, served as a guest judge for the Tuesday, October 8, double elimination episode. Simmons, 75, told attendees that he (…)

Armstrong explained his perspective, adding, “I said, ‘Wait a minute.’ I have two little sisters. I heard it. I said, ‘Wait, wait, wait.'”

Since DWTS Season 33 premiered last month, Armstrong and Kinney have remained on top week after week. After Tuesday’s performance, Kinney spoke about the pressure that comes with consistently receiving high scores from the judges.

“I just try to distance myself and pretend it’s my own little world. Honestly, I think that’s the healthiest thing you can do at some point,” she told Us. “Just focus on you and your partner and ignore the rest. This is kind of what I try to do every week. … That was my strategy.”

She praised her professional partner for being “a great anchor” and called him “the calm in the storm” every week.

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Armstrong is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response – and high ratings – for this season DWTS.

“It’s incredible because I think it shows the health of the show. “People haven’t watched that much TV for a long time,” he said Us. “They weren’t streaming. I feel like it shows that Dancing with the stars “stayed in tune with the times.”

He continued: “I also think it shows the work that comes from bringing in younger stars and younger celebrities who appeal to a different audience.” So I’m really happy. I hope that many of these (votes) went to us. I really do.”

While reflecting on this week’s back-to-back episodes – Soul Train Night took place on Monday, October 7, leading to a double elimination on Tuesday – Kinney expressed her gratitude for the lessons she’s learned so far.

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“It really pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I have something to achieve – some sort of alter ego,” she shared. “You really have to push and step on the gas, know who you are and stick with it. So it’s just really intense competition. I think more than anything I will carry some of that courage with me.”

Dancing with the stars airs simultaneously on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

With reporting by Mariel Turner