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TV host fired for Obama 'ape' comment

An American TV host has been fired after he compared First Lady Michelle Obama to a cast member from the Planet of the Apes film.

Rodner Figueroa
Rodner Figueroa (AAP)

The United States' largest Spanish-language television channel has fired a key presenter who said First Lady Michelle Obama looked like a cast member from Planet of the Apes.

Venezuelan host Rodner Figueroa made the comment on Wednesday during the evening El Gordo y La Flaca program, as moderators discussed a make-up artist who had transformed himself into a variety of female celebrity figures, including Obama.

As images of the man plus Obama appeared on the screen, Figueroa commented in Spanish that "Michelle Obama looks like a cast member of Planet of the Apes".

Television channel, Univision, moved swiftly to fire Figueroa.

"Yesterday during our entertainment program El Gordo y La Flaca, Rodner Figueroa made comments regarding First Lady Michelle Obama that were completely reprehensible," Univision said in a statement on Thursday.

"As a result, Mr Figueroa was immediately terminated."

Figueroa, nicknamed El Fashionista, made a name for himself on Univision as a fashion expert, with frequent commentary and critiques of US and Latin stars plus red-carpet interviews.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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