Skip to Content

Talk show host Rodner Figueroa has been fired by Univision for saying First Lady Michelle Obama looks like a cast member from Planet of the Apes.

The Hollywood Gossip Logo

The Emmy-winning Spanish-language TV personality, known for his biting fashion commentary, made his remarks in a live segment Wednesday.

On the show El Gordo y la Flaca, the hosts were commenting on a viral video that shows a makeup artist transforming himself into different celebrities (below).

One of them? 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.

Lili Estefan countered with “What are you saying?” Raul de Molina said Obama was very attractive. But Figueroa defended his quote, saying “but it is true.”

In a statement this morning, Univision called Figueroa’s comments “completely reprehensible” and announced he has been “immediately terminated.”

The comments made by Figueroa about President Barack Obama’s wife, the network reiterated, “in no way reflect Univision’s values or views.”

Figueroa began at Univision as a producer. His show is popular with its Spanish-language audience and has been on the air for more than 16 years.

He has also been involved in special other programs with Univision, and has yet to issue any direct comments about his dismissal or the controversy.

Figueroa, who lives in Miami, is a community fixture who is also active in various charities, attracting many Latino stars to different charitable causes.

Univision reaches an estimated 94 million U.S. homes, and among all television networks, the #1 Spanish language channel ranks fifth in the U.S.