Univision host fired for racist Michelle Obama comments

[pwaldo]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti....html#comments

An Emmy-winning talk show host has been fired by Spanish-language TV station Univision after he compared the First Lady to a character from Planet Of The Apes on live television.

Rodner Figueroa, who's known for his biting fashion commentary, made the racially insensitive remark on the entertainment news show El Gordo Y La Flaca on Wednesday.

Venezuelan-born Figueroa made the remark in a segment discussing the work of make-up artist Paolo Ballesteros who posts photos of himself transformed into female celebrities.

Figueroa, 42, was talking about how Ballesteros had transformed himself into the First Lady when said: 'Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she's from the cast of Planet Of The Apes, the movie.'

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.'

The show aired live on the East Coast, but his remarks were edited out of the version broadcast for the West Coast, reports Latino Voices.

On Thursday he issued an open letter apology to Michelle Obama. In it he claimed his comments were taken out of context and that as a member of a 'bi-racial Latin family' he isn't a racist, reports Latin Times.

'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,' he said.

'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.'

[gsj68]

so i guess this means we still can't comment on Richard Sherman's giant sinuses because it would be racist?

and Michelle Obama kinda looks like someone out of the planet of the apes

Danny Devito looks like a neanderthal troll

and so on

[JustAlex]

The guy is a minority himself and just leveled an ugly stereotype insult based on looks at a black woman.

God, what a freaking moron....good riddance to him.


And before anyone starts talking about free speech or whatever, as a HUGE advocate for free speech let me once more say that you DO have free speech but your free speech has consequences, and your employer can punish you for not wanting to be associated with your free speech.

I wonder what my company would do to me if I said the things I say about religion at my job site?

They probably wouldn't like it.....and I probably wouldn't be employed any longer.

[Star_Cards]

I'm curious why this guy thought he wouldn't get backlash for that comment. I get that he's mad that he lost his job, but saying his comment was taken out of context doesn't really fly. I highly doubt that he is a racist person, but seems like a person that is bi-racial and is an activist for minorities would be aware that comparing an african american to a planet of the apes cast member would be considered insensitive and get negative attention that his employer wouldn't want to be associated with.

[shrewsbury]

The guy is a minority himself and just leveled an ugly stereotype insult based on looks at a black woman.

he was talking about the wardrobe of planet of the apes. but people like you assume he is saying she looks like an ape.
and you stereotype republicans, conservatives, muslims, christians all day long.

[Star_Cards]

he was talking about the wardrobe of planet of the apes. but people like you assume he is saying she looks like an ape.
and you stereotype republicans, conservatives, muslims, christians all day long.

Even if it is being taken out of context I'm just not sure why he doesn't know that a statement concerning a black person and the planet of the apes is going to get this reaction no matter what his specific comparison happens to be. I can't imagine that he wouldn't expect this even if he was speaking to her wardrobe. Seems like he'd be more aware and could have used a different comparison especially since he more than likely wrote his comments before the segments aired. I'll also say that I don't think that what he said ranks all that high on a list of offensive things to say. However, the network has the ability to sever ties if they so desire.

[habsheaven]

Wardrobe?? They were talking about a make up artist.

[JustAlex]

he was talking about the wardrobe of planet of the apes. but people like you assume he is saying she looks like an ape.
and you stereotype republicans, conservatives, muslims, christians all day long.

Really, wardrobe.....while looking at her face?

And whatever I do here, I do so in anonymity.

I avoid ALL religion and political talk at work because I know how insanely sensitive some people really are.

BTW, if you were ever talking to me in real life, you'd have zero hints it was the same guy who says what he says online.

[ajcorleone]

Really, wardrobe.....while looking at her face?

And whatever I do here, I do so in anonymity.

I avoid ALL religion and political talk at work because I know how insanely sensitive some people really are.

BTW, if you were ever talking to me in real life, you'd have zero hints it was the same guy who says what he says online.

This is no surprise!!

[habsheaven]

I'd love to debate with any of you in person. Nothing better than countering points on the fly. People also become a lot more moderate in their comments.