KISS’ Gene Simmons Says Celebrities Should “Do Your Art & Shut Up” When It Comes To Politics

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding entertainers speaking publicly about politics, arguing that musicians, actors and comedians should keep their personal beliefs separate from their art.

The outspoken rock veteran — long known for sharing strong opinions on topics ranging from the state of rock music to industry recognition — recently discussed the subject during an interview with TMZ. The conversation touched on backlash surrounding political messaging and the use of artists’ music and likenesses in political media without authorization.

conversation touched on backlash surrounding political messaging and the use of artists’ music and likenesses in political media without authorization.

Responding to the broader trend of celebrities publicly voicing political stances, Simmons offered a blunt take:

“Everybody in the world should listen to what actors and comedians say, because they’re so qualified. Basically shut the fck up. Do your art and shut up. Nobody’s interested in your opinions, that includes me. Who I vote for, who I like. Who the fck do you think you are?

People in America work hard for their living and they don’t wanna be lectured to by people who live in mansions and drive Rolls-Royces. It’s time for everybody in the entertainment industry to shut their piehole and just do your art. Nobody cares what you think. I don’t.”

He later added a sarcastic remark aimed at celebrity political commentary, joking that those seeking opinions should instead “go to Kylie Jenner and see what she thinks about the war so far.”

Simmons’ stance contrasts sharply with viewpoints shared by several musicians who have encouraged artists to speak openly on social and political issues. Among them is Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, who recently addressed criticism artists receive for expressing political opinions during an interview with Kerrang!.

Blythe pushed back strongly against the idea that musicians should remain silent:

“Ultimately, “to those people, I say ‘Go f*ck yourself.’ I’m an American citizen and a world traveler. More than that, I’m a human being. I’m not some dancing monkey put here for your entertainment. If you have any sort of moral compass at all, it’s irresponsible to not exercise your right to speak up.

If people are willing to compartmentalize something like a child sex trafficking ring because they think it might better their bank account, they’ve lost a component of their humanity. They’ve lost an integral part of what it is to be a righteous human being. At that point, it’s time to stop and reassess and reevaluate.

You’re not going to be able to carry your money into the grave, motherf*cker, but you will be able to carry the memories of silently going along with people that enabled child sex predators. How are you going to feel about that on your deathbed?”

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