Univision's Rodner Figueroa fired for Michelle Obama comment

Posted March 11, 2015 11:00 pm

By GISELA SALOMON

MIAMI (AP) - Talk show host Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision after saying that Michelle Obama looks like someone from the cast of "Planet of the Apes."

Figueroa, who's known for his biting fashion commentary, made his remarks during a live segment of the show "El Gordo y la Flaca" in which the hosts were commenting on a viral video that shows a makeup artist transforming himself into different celebrities, including Michelle Obama.

"Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she's from the cast of 'Planet of the Apes,' the movie," Figueroa, 42, said with a giggle.

When hostess Lili Estefan countered with "What are you saying?" and host Raul de Molina said Obama was very attractive, Figueroa defended his remark, saying "but it is true."

In a statement, Univision called Figueroa's comments "completely reprehensible" and said they "in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision."

Figueroa, who in 2014 won a Daytime Emmy Award, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. He worked for Univision for 17 years and had been on "El Gordo y la Flaca" since 2000.

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2011, file photo, Rodner Figueroa arrives at the 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Univision announced Thursday, March 12, 2015, that Figueroa has been fired after making unacceptable remarks about U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) The Associated Press

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