Since I don’t watch Spanish-language television, I really have no idea who “Rodner Figueroa” is beyond the meager description of “a newly disgraced ex-Univision host.” Univision and Telemundo are the top-rated Spanish-language networks in North America, and apparently Figueroa is a relatively well-known TV host on Univision. He’s even won a Daytime Emmy.

Figueroa was part of a segment on El Gordo Y La Flaca in which he was talking about makeup transformations with a makeup artist names Paolo Ballesteros. At some point during the segment, Figueroa pointed to a photo of Michelle Obama and said, “Mind you, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she’s part of the cast of Planet of the Apes, the film.” You know what gets so completely exhausting? The fact that the Obamas have been in the White House for more than six years and people still think it’s “funny” or appropriate to compare them to monkeys, whether it’s a Univision host or senior officials in Ferguson, Missouri.

Anyway, after Figueroa made the comment, the other host, Raul de Molina, seemed shocked by the comments apparently. Social media blew up, justifiably. And within just a few hours, Univision had fired Figueroa. I kind of love that they didn’t half-ass it and “suspend” him while the situation was “investigated” or whatever. Univision released a statement too:

“Yesterday during our entertainment program El Gordo y La Flaca, Rodner Figueroa made comments regarding First Lady Michelle Obama that were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect Univision’s values or views. As a result, Mr. Figueroa was immediately terminated.”

[From E! News]

That’s the way to do it, man. Say something awful and ADIOS. I should note that Figueroa has released his own lengthy statement directed to Michelle Obama personally, offering his “sincerest apologies” and saying in part:

“I want to make it clear that I’m not racist and my comment wasn’t 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 embarrassed, 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 full responsibility for the lack of judgement in my part, but I can’t accept that I am being called a racist, 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.”

[From Latin Times]

I think it’s perfectly possible that he made a terrible mistake and he wasn’t trying to say something awful, disrespectful and racist about FLOTUS. I also think it’s possible that he doth protest too much. What’s Michelle’s verdict?

Photos courtesy of WENN.