Rodner Figueroa
Rodner Figueroa (born 1972) is a Venezuelan television show host.[1] Figueroa has hosted shows on Univision, such as El Gordo y La Flaca,[2] Sal y Pimienta, and for Al Rojo Vivo on the Telemundo network.
Career[edit]
Univision[edit]
Early 2015 during a segment on the work of makeup artist Paolo Ballesteros, Figueroa stated multiple times in Spanish that Michelle Obama "looks like a character from the movie Planet of the Apes." His co-hosts contested, but Figueroa made the statement again. Figueroa was subsequently fired by Univision for the racist comment.[1] After losing his job, Figueroa later publicly apologized about the comments.
Telemundo[edit]
In October 2017, Figueroa joined María Celeste Arrarás on the Telemundo network news program Al Rojo Vivo.[3]
Personal[edit]
Figueroa and the man who replaced him as host of Sal y Pimienta, Mexican show host Carlos Calderon, are personal friends. Figueroa stated he is happy that Calderon replaced him.[4] Rodner Figueroa is in a relationship with Ernesto Mathies and publicly acknowledged his homosexuality.
References[edit]
- ^ a b Howard, Adam (March 13, 2015). "Rodner Figueroa to Michelle Obama: Sorry for 'Planet of the Apes' joke". MSNBC.
- ^ "Univision host fired for 'Planet of the Apes' Michelle Obama remark". NBC News Latino. March 12, 2015.
- ^ "Rodner Figueroa Joins Telemundo, First TV Job Since Michelle Obama Racist Remark Scandal". Latin Times. October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Fired Univision Host Rodner Figueroa Is Happy Friend Carlos Calderón Replaced Him on 'Sal y Pimienta'". Latin Post.