Gene Simmons has promised not to ''sugarcoat s**t'' with his new talent-search show.

The Kiss rocker insists he will be getting ''tough'' on contestants taking part in 'Coliseum' and is ready to ''shatter dreams'' of budding rock stars.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: ''You can't sugarcoat s**t, pardon me. You can mentor anyone you like, but it's a waste of time if they don't have the goods intrinsically.

''We want to open the trap doors of life and get tough. There will be heartbreak, and people are going to cry and their dreams will be shattered, just like in real life.

''Your qualification for being on this show is you can sing in the shower? Is that it, without paying any dues or writing songs or any stagecraft?''

The 'Crazy, Crazy Nights' hitmaker believes shows such as 'American Idol' and 'The Voice' are ''fantasy'' because judges won't get too tough on hopefuls because honest evaluations would be a turn-off for their family audiences.

He said: ''TV shows are fantasy because they're selling soap suds. It's family entertainment, it's primetime, the kids are there, and they [broadcasters] don't want to get too realistic.''

And the rocker admitted 'Coliseum' - which will mix and match artists competing to find the perfect act - will value image over vocal talent.

He added: ''We want to create superstars, not just singers that get record deals.''