Talk show host fired after a nasty comment about Michelle Obama
MIAMI (AP) — Talk show host Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision after saying that Michelle Obama looks like someone from the cast of "Planet of the Apes."
Figueroa, who's known for his biting fashion commentary, made his remarks during a live segment of the show "El Gordo y la Flaca" in which the hosts were commenting on a viral video that shows a makeup artist transforming himself into different celebrities, including 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.
When hostess Lili Estefan countered with "What are you saying?" and host Raul de Molina said Obama was very attractive, Figueroa defended his remark, saying "but it is true."
In a statement, Univision called Figueroa's comments "completely reprehensible" and said they "in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision."
Figueroa, who in 2014 won a Daytime Emmy Award, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. He worked for Univision for 17 years and had been on "El Gordo y la Flaca" since 2000.
http://www.latintimes.com/rodner-fi...rmer-univision-host-says-im-not-racist-302160
Rodner Figueroa Open Letter To Michelle Obama: Former Univision Host Says, ‘I’m Not A Racist’
By Armando Tinoco | Mar 12 2015, 02:50PM EDT
"I'm not a racist," says Rodner Figueroa in an open letter to Michelle Obama. Twitter/rodnerfigueroa
Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision for a racist comment made about the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Now the former "Sal y Pimienta" host is asking for forgiveness in an open letter to Obama. Figueroa doesn't want to be deemed a racist and feels Univision is humiliating him after the turn of events. "I offer my sincerest apologies for a comment that I made about the characterization a make-up artist made about you in the Univision entertainment program 'El Gordo y La Flaca,'" the letter read. "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."
He added, "I feel embarrased, 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."
"I worked on two Univision shows where I commented about celebrity style and looks, including the Royal Family and Latin first ladies, and I have never offended anybody because of their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but I'm a human that makes mistakes like this one. Although the comment was unpleasant and out of line, I do not deserved being called a racist and I have to defend myself for respect and love to my family, my father, my fans and my community. I was notified verbally that due to a complaint from your office I was fired. And thanks to an information leak from Univision executives, I was condemend on social media, destroying my career in an unfair manner, without letting me know personally and without an investigation that would allow to clear up the situation. Again, I offer my humble forgiveness for the misinterpreation and I assume the responsibility."
Letter to Michelle:
Respetada Primera Dama Michelle Obama,
Le ofrezco mis más sinceras disculpas por un comentario que hice sobre la caracterización que hizo de usted un maquillista en el programa de entretenimiento de Univision “El Gordo y La Flaca” ayer, y que fue mal interpretado.
Quiero aclarar que no soy racista y de ninguna manera mi comentario fue dirigido hacia usted, sino hacia la caracterización de dicho artista, que dejaba mucho que desear. El clip completo del video en contexto lo comprueba.
Me siento abochornado, le pido perdón, porque no hay excusa para que un profesional como yo haga este tipo de comentarios que pueden ser interpretados como ofensivos y racistas en los momentos tan volátiles que vive nuestro país. Tomo responsabilidad por esta falta de juicio de mi parte, pero no puedo aceptar ser tildado de racista por nadie y ser despedido como tal, y humillado públicamente por Univision después de 17 años en esta empresa.
Vengo de una familia bi-racial Latina, con familiares, como mi padre, de la raza Afro-latina. Soy el primer presentador abiertamente gay en la TV Hispana y he sido activista de causas en pro de las minorías, que como yo han sido discriminadas. Yo voté abiertamente dos veces por su esposo, Barack Obama, porque lo considero un gran hombre que respeta a las minorías, como yo, en este país.
Trabajé en dos programas de Univison donde comentaba el look de muchas celebridades, incluyendo la realeza y primeras damas Latinas y jamás he ofendido a nadie por el color de su piel, orientación sexual o nacionalidad. Soy una persona decente, pero un ser humano al fin y al cabo y cometo errores como este. Y, con lo desagradable y fuera de línea que haya sido interpretado mi comentario no merezco ser tildado de racista, y tengo que defenderme por respeto y amor a mi familia, a mi padre, a mis fans y a mi comunidad.
Se me notificó verbalmente que por una queja de su despacho fui despedido, y en una fuga de información de parte de ejecutivos de Univision, se me condenó en las redes sociales tratando de destruir mi carrera de una manera injusta, sin siquiera haberme notificado oficalmente por escrito y sin una investigación que posibilitara esclarecer la situación.
De nuevo, le ofrezco una humilde disculpa por el malentendido y asumo la responsabilidad.
Muy respetuosamente,
Rodner Figueroa
In English (google translate:
Respected First Lady Michelle Obama,
I offer my sincere apologies for a comment he made about the characterization that made you with a makeup artist in the entertainment program Univision's "El Gordo y la Flaca" yesterday, and was misinterpreted.
I want to clarify that I am not racist in any way my comment was directed towards you, but towards the characterization of the artist, who left much to be desired. The entire video clip in context proves it.
I feel embarrassed, I apologize, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to do this type of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in such volatile times in our country. I take responsibility for this lack of judgment on my part, but I can not accept being called a racist by anyone and be dismissed as such, and publicly humiliated by Univision after 17 years in this business.
I come from a family bi-racial America, with family, like my father, Afro-Latin race. I am the first openly gay Hispanic TV presenter and I've been an activist for causes in favor of minorities, as I have been discriminated against. I voted openly twice by her husband, Barack Obama, because I consider it a great man who respects minorities, like me, in this country.
I worked on two programs where Univision commented the look of many celebrities, including royalty and first Latin ladies and I have never offended anyone by their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but a human being after all and make mistakes like this. And so unpleasant and offline that has been interpreted my comment did not deserve to be called a racist, and I have to defend myself out of respect and love for my family, my father, my fans and my community.
I was verbally notified that a complaint was dismissed from his office, and leaking information from Univision executives, I was sentenced on social networks trying to destroy my career unfairly, without even having notified oficales by writing without an investigation that would enable clarify the situation.
Again, I offer a humble apology for the misunderstanding and take responsibility.
Very respectfully,
Rodner Figueroa
Be a gay latino and talk shyt about the first lady, brehs
- GISELA SALOMON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
- MAR. 12, 2015, 4:41 PM
- 2,067
MIAMI (AP) — Talk show host Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision after saying that Michelle Obama looks like someone from the cast of "Planet of the Apes."
Figueroa, who's known for his biting fashion commentary, made his remarks during a live segment of the show "El Gordo y la Flaca" in which the hosts were commenting on a viral video that shows a makeup artist transforming himself into different celebrities, including 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.
When hostess Lili Estefan countered with "What are you saying?" and host Raul de Molina said Obama was very attractive, Figueroa defended his remark, saying "but it is true."
In a statement, Univision called Figueroa's comments "completely reprehensible" and said they "in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision."
Figueroa, who in 2014 won a Daytime Emmy Award, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. He worked for Univision for 17 years and had been on "El Gordo y la Flaca" since 2000.
http://www.latintimes.com/rodner-fi...rmer-univision-host-says-im-not-racist-302160
Rodner Figueroa Open Letter To Michelle Obama: Former Univision Host Says, ‘I’m Not A Racist’
By Armando Tinoco | Mar 12 2015, 02:50PM EDT
"I'm not a racist," says Rodner Figueroa in an open letter to Michelle Obama. Twitter/rodnerfigueroa
Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision for a racist comment made about the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Now the former "Sal y Pimienta" host is asking for forgiveness in an open letter to Obama. Figueroa doesn't want to be deemed a racist and feels Univision is humiliating him after the turn of events. "I offer my sincerest apologies for a comment that I made about the characterization a make-up artist made about you in the Univision entertainment program 'El Gordo y La Flaca,'" the letter read. "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."
He added, "I feel embarrased, 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."
"I worked on two Univision shows where I commented about celebrity style and looks, including the Royal Family and Latin first ladies, and I have never offended anybody because of their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but I'm a human that makes mistakes like this one. Although the comment was unpleasant and out of line, I do not deserved being called a racist and I have to defend myself for respect and love to my family, my father, my fans and my community. I was notified verbally that due to a complaint from your office I was fired. And thanks to an information leak from Univision executives, I was condemend on social media, destroying my career in an unfair manner, without letting me know personally and without an investigation that would allow to clear up the situation. Again, I offer my humble forgiveness for the misinterpreation and I assume the responsibility."
Letter to Michelle:
Respetada Primera Dama Michelle Obama,
Le ofrezco mis más sinceras disculpas por un comentario que hice sobre la caracterización que hizo de usted un maquillista en el programa de entretenimiento de Univision “El Gordo y La Flaca” ayer, y que fue mal interpretado.
Quiero aclarar que no soy racista y de ninguna manera mi comentario fue dirigido hacia usted, sino hacia la caracterización de dicho artista, que dejaba mucho que desear. El clip completo del video en contexto lo comprueba.
Me siento abochornado, le pido perdón, porque no hay excusa para que un profesional como yo haga este tipo de comentarios que pueden ser interpretados como ofensivos y racistas en los momentos tan volátiles que vive nuestro país. Tomo responsabilidad por esta falta de juicio de mi parte, pero no puedo aceptar ser tildado de racista por nadie y ser despedido como tal, y humillado públicamente por Univision después de 17 años en esta empresa.
Vengo de una familia bi-racial Latina, con familiares, como mi padre, de la raza Afro-latina. Soy el primer presentador abiertamente gay en la TV Hispana y he sido activista de causas en pro de las minorías, que como yo han sido discriminadas. Yo voté abiertamente dos veces por su esposo, Barack Obama, porque lo considero un gran hombre que respeta a las minorías, como yo, en este país.
Trabajé en dos programas de Univison donde comentaba el look de muchas celebridades, incluyendo la realeza y primeras damas Latinas y jamás he ofendido a nadie por el color de su piel, orientación sexual o nacionalidad. Soy una persona decente, pero un ser humano al fin y al cabo y cometo errores como este. Y, con lo desagradable y fuera de línea que haya sido interpretado mi comentario no merezco ser tildado de racista, y tengo que defenderme por respeto y amor a mi familia, a mi padre, a mis fans y a mi comunidad.
Se me notificó verbalmente que por una queja de su despacho fui despedido, y en una fuga de información de parte de ejecutivos de Univision, se me condenó en las redes sociales tratando de destruir mi carrera de una manera injusta, sin siquiera haberme notificado oficalmente por escrito y sin una investigación que posibilitara esclarecer la situación.
De nuevo, le ofrezco una humilde disculpa por el malentendido y asumo la responsabilidad.
Muy respetuosamente,
Rodner Figueroa
In English (google translate:
Respected First Lady Michelle Obama,
I offer my sincere apologies for a comment he made about the characterization that made you with a makeup artist in the entertainment program Univision's "El Gordo y la Flaca" yesterday, and was misinterpreted.
I want to clarify that I am not racist in any way my comment was directed towards you, but towards the characterization of the artist, who left much to be desired. The entire video clip in context proves it.
I feel embarrassed, I apologize, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to do this type of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in such volatile times in our country. I take responsibility for this lack of judgment on my part, but I can not accept being called a racist by anyone and be dismissed as such, and publicly humiliated by Univision after 17 years in this business.
I come from a family bi-racial America, with family, like my father, Afro-Latin race. I am the first openly gay Hispanic TV presenter and I've been an activist for causes in favor of minorities, as I have been discriminated against. I voted openly twice by her husband, Barack Obama, because I consider it a great man who respects minorities, like me, in this country.
I worked on two programs where Univision commented the look of many celebrities, including royalty and first Latin ladies and I have never offended anyone by their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but a human being after all and make mistakes like this. And so unpleasant and offline that has been interpreted my comment did not deserve to be called a racist, and I have to defend myself out of respect and love for my family, my father, my fans and my community.
I was verbally notified that a complaint was dismissed from his office, and leaking information from Univision executives, I was sentenced on social networks trying to destroy my career unfairly, without even having notified oficales by writing without an investigation that would enable clarify the situation.
Again, I offer a humble apology for the misunderstanding and take responsibility.
Very respectfully,
Rodner Figueroa
Be a gay latino and talk shyt about the first lady, brehs
