Gene Simmons On Adam Lambert Coming Out: ‘He’s Killed His Career’

A little over a month after performing on stage with Adam Lambert during the “American Idol” Season 8 finale, KISS frontman Gene Simmons has claimed the runner-up put his career in jeopardy by announcing he was gay.

In a recent interview with AOL Television to promote the return of his A&E reality show “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” Gene said Adam’s decision to come out has effectively stopped the handsome 20-something’s career in its tracks.

“He’s enormously talented, best talent ‘American Idol’ has had, but I think he killed his career because now conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference,” Gene said.

Shortly after “Idol” wrapped up, Adam came out in a cover story for Rolling Stone magazine — although, by his own admission, Adam joked he was “never really in” the closet. But Gene believes some people won’t be able to get past Adam’s revelation about his sexual preference.

“He’s done. You’re forcing people to deal with issues they may not be interested in. Life is unfair, and the masses don’t all live in LA They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska, and you’re on crack if you think the same rules apply there,” the rocker added.

Gene added that Adam should stick to singing.

“My advice is still the same, shut the f*** up, just sing and let people say whatever they want,” he said. “But I do wish him the best because he’s got all the talent in the world. If only the world was not homophobic, but it is.”

In making his assertion, Gene noted he is supportive of the gay community.

“I would be the first one to vote for equal rights for gay women and men, and get the church and the state to stop telling everybody how to lead their lives,” Gene said. “But do I think he’s killed his career? Oh, in an instant. I hope I’m completely wrong. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong.”

When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for Adam was not immediately available for comment on Gene’s statements.