Univision has fired “El Gordo y la Flaca” co-host Rodner Figueroa for making “reprehensible” comments about First Lady Michelle Obama.
The network released the following statement:
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.
On Wednesday, Figueroa and his co-hosts Raúl De Molina and Lili Estefan were commenting on a viral video in which a makeup artist changed his appearance to look like several celebrities — one of which was the president’s wife.
“Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she’s from the cast of ‘Planet of the Apes,’ the movie,” Figueroa said.
Even after De Molina said that Obama is an attractive woman, Figueroa said, “But, it is true.”
Figueroa has been with Univision for 17 years and with “El Gordo y la Flaca” since 2000. He also hosted Univision show, “Sal Y Pimienta.”
In 2014, Rodner Figueroa won a Daytime Emmy Outstanding Daytime Talent in the Spanish category for his work on “El Gordo y la Flaca.”