Rodner Figueroa was fired by Univision Wednesday after making an on-air joke comparing Michelle Obama to an ape from Planet of the Apes. Figueroa penned an open letter apologizing to Obama, but also aired his gripes about Univision.
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In the letter, the former host of Sal y Pimienta said that the only reason he was fired was that someone in the first ladyโs office complained about the joke and that he now feels humiliated by Univision. Figueroa said his comments were taken out of context.
โI want to clarify that Iโm not racist and in no way was my comment directed at you, but rather the work of the [makeup] artist, which left much to be desired,โย the letter read.
Figueroa also said that heโs far from racist because heโs biracial, with Latino parents, one of whom is black.ย He also noted that he was one of the first openly gay personalities on Univision and even voted for President Barack Obama, twice.
โIโve been an activist for causes in favor of minorities, as I have been discriminated against,โ Figueroa wrote.
The comment that got Figueroa fired was aired during El Gordoย y la Flaca while makeup artist Paolo Ballestero was showing how he uses makeup to transform into celebrities. When he showed the hosts his first lady transformation, Figueroa made the comment.
โMind you, you know that Michelle Obama looks like sheโs part of the cast of Planet of the Apes, the film,โ Figueroa said.
So, basically, Figueroa is saying that his comment wasnโt about Michelleย Obama per se but what he felt was a disservice done by Ballesteroโs makeup artistry. Regardless of the context, comparing a black person to a primate is quite racist.
Let this be a lesson to Figueroa: Words, especially racist words, mean things, and they can cost you your job.ย
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