Updated 10:22 AM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Rodner Figueroa Michelle Obama ‘Planet of the Apes’ Scandal Update: Ex-Univision Host to Join Rival Network? More Opportunities Rumored!

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Rodner Figueroa was axed from Univision weeks ago, but it doesn't mean that the TV presenter's career is facing its end.

According to Latin Times, Telemundo is reportedly attempting to hire Figueroa as one of their hosts. The network, which competes against Univision, is allegedly in talks to place Figueroa "on 'Suelta La Sopa' that runs weekdays opposite 'El Gordo y La Flaca,'" where the Emmy Award winning host was previously a part of.

"Sal y Pimienta" also competes against Univision on Sunday nights, Latin Times added. If these rumors were true, Figueroa "would be competing with the shows that made him a household name," the news outlet wrote.

Univision fired the TV host after he made a seemingly derogatory comment about Filipino make-up artist and entertainer Paolo Ballesteros' make-up transformation of First Lady Michelle Obama. Ballesteros is currently making headlines on Instagram for his creative depictions of famous celebrities.

During one of the live shows of "El Gordo y la Flaca," Figueroa commented that Obama's representation "looks like she was from the cast of 'Planet of the Apes,'" Fox News Latino noted.

Since then, Figueroa issued a public apology directed to the First Lady, saying that he takes full responsibility for the error in his judgment.

"I would like to clarify that I am not a racist and my comments were in no way directed toward you, but toward the characterization made by the makeup artist," the 42-year-old host said in Spanish, as reported and translated by Fox News Latino. "I am embarrassed, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make comments like this that can be misinterpreted as offensive and racist during such a volatile time in our country."

However, for him, his termination from the TV network was unfair and unacceptable. Another report from Latin Times, meanwhile, cited reports which claimed that the real reason why the talk show host was axed from Univision was because "he was rallying up supporters to unionize the talent at the network."

According to the news outlet, Martin Singer, Figueroa's lawyer, sent a letter to the network indicating that Univision "did not have a problem with my client's remarks during the delay when it could have exercised its discretion to do so." The attorney added that the network didn't receive any complaints from the White House after the segment aired and the termination was "all a fib to get the host out of there before stirring up more drama behind-the-scenes," Latin Times wrote.

Figueroa's contract with Colgate as the brand's spokesperson also came to an end due to the controversy.

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