A TV presenter has been fired after he compared Michelle Obama to a character from Planet Of The Apes.
Rodner Figueroa made the comment live on the Emmy-winning show El Gordo y La Flaca, on TV station Univision.
The comment was made when discussing a make-up artist who transforms himself into various celebrities – one of which was the first lady.
The Venezualan-born presenter said in response to make-up artist Paolo Ballesteros attempt: “Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she's from the cast of Planet Of The Apes, the movie.”
His co- host Lili Estefan asked: “What are you saying?”
Yesterday Unvision called his comments “completely reprehensible” and insisted they “in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision.”
It read: “Yesterday during the entertainment show El Gordo y La Flaca, Rodner Figueroa made comments about First Lady Michelle Obama that were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision.
“As a result, Mr. Figueroa was fired immediately.”
In response Rodner released an open letter in which he said he was not racist and was from a “bi-racial Latin family”.
It read: “Dear First Lady Michelle Obama,
I offer my sincerest apologies for a comment that I made about the characterization from a make-up artist that I made about you in the Univision entertainment program El Gordo y La Flaca.
I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and it was directed personally to you, but to the characterization of the artist, that left a lot to be desired. The clip in full context is proof.
I feel embarrased, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make those types of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in a volatile moment that we live in our country.
I take responsibility for this lack of judgement in my part, but I can't accept that I am being called a racist and being fired for that reason and being humiliated by Univision after working there for 17 years. I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino.
I am the first presenter on Hispanic TV that is openly gay and I am an activist for causes that favor minorities, that have been discriminated against just like me. I openly voted twice for your husband Barack Obama, because I consider him a great man that respects minorities, like me, in this country.
I worked on two Univision shows where I commented about celebrity style, including the real family and Latin first ladies and I have never offended anybody because of their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but a human in the end that makes mistakes like this one.
Although the comment was unpleasant and out of line I do not deserved being called a racist and I have to defend myself for respect and love to my family, my father, my fans and my community.
I was notified verbally that due to a complaint from your office I was fired. An information leak from Univision executives, I was condemend in social media, trying to destroy my career in an unfair manner, without letting me know personally and without an investigation that would allow to clear up the situation.
Again, I offer my humble forgiveness for the misinterpreation and I assume the responsibility.
Yours respectfully,
Rodner Figueroa”
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