Gene Simmons pulled back the curtain on his pickup method in a recent interview … because he used a line on the TV news anchor who was asking him questions!!!

Ya gotta see this interaction between the rock legend and Scripps News anchor Maritsa Georgiou … as their 10-minute interview is winding down, Gene starts hitting on her.

Gene grins from behind his black sunglasses and says, “Oh, I assumed” … and Maritsa laughs and tells him, “Well, I appreciate that.”

She thanks him for his time, and the segment ends.

Models seem to be Gene’s type. He’s been married to Shannon Tweed — who’s both a model and actress — since 2011.

Gene was on Scripps News Monday night talking about KISS being celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors and his support for the American Music Fairness Act, which would force radio broadcasters to pay artists performance royalties.

Clearly, things went off track by the end.

Nick Fuentes is making news outside of his usual Nazi-loving, misogynist ramblings … for the first time, he’s revealed that he’s still a virgin at 27!

The white nationalist podcaster sat down Monday with Piers Morgan for a wide-ranging interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” — and things got tense when the convo turned to Fuentes’ sexuality.

At one point, Morgan asked Fuentes if he’s attracted to women, and Fuentes confirmed that he is … but he finds it “very difficult” to be around them.

Personal injury lawyer Thomas J. Henry proved he throws a party like nobody else … dropping a TON of money to hire Ricky Martin for a secret performance at his engagement celebration … TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the party tell TMZ … the powerhouse personal injury attorney brought in Ricky for a 45-minute private concert Saturday night at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico, where Thomas celebrated his engagement to Dr. Elena Alvarez Westwood.

We’re told 500 guests — including Marc Anthony — had no clue Ricky was going to hit the stage. Our sources say the party absolutely exploded when Ricky launched into his hits.

TMZ obtained a note slipped under hotel guests’ doors from Thomas and Elena ahead of the big party, alerting them that a large projection would be displayed on the side of the building and asking them to keep all curtains closed from 6 PM to 2:30 AM to help create the magical moment for the philanthropic couple.

We’re told the couple gifted every hotel room Montadero Chocolate and Don Q Gran Reserva Añejo Rum. Our sources say a 20-minute late-night firework show sparked some complaints, but things were smoothed over by wiping several extra charges from guests’ bills.