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Figueroa made the comment during an appearance on the popular
talk show "El Gordo y La Flaca" on Wednesday while discussing
the work of a makeup artist who works to copy the looks of
famous people.
"Look, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she's part of the
cast of the film 'Planet of the Apes,'" Figueroa said in
Spanish.
The comparison quickly drew accusations of racism against
Figueroa.
"Rodner Figueroa made comments regarding First Lady Michelle
Obama that were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect
Univision's values or views," the Miami-based network said in a
statement.
"As a result, Mr. Figueroa was immediately terminated," the
statement said.
Figueroa had served as a fashion expert on Univision, among
other roles, and he was seated next to the two main hosts of the
show Raśl De Molina and Lili Estefan when he made the remark.
Estefan responded with, "What are you saying?" and De Molina
interjected to say that Michelle Obama is attractive.
Figueroa, in an open letter to the first lady posted on the
website Latin World Entertainment, wrote in Spanish that his
comments were not directed at Michelle Obama but toward the
makeup artist who had sought to replicate her look.
"I feel mortified, and I ask for your forgiveness, because there
is no excuse for a professional like myself to make a comment
like that which can be interpreted as offensive and racist in
these volatile times that our country is experiencing," he
wrote.
(Reporting by David Adams in Miami and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los
Angeles; Editing by Mary Milliken and Sandra Maler)
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