Backlash following Rodner Figueroa's racist remark about First Lady Michelle Obama goes beyond Univision cutting ties with the former host.
The Emmy Award-winning fashionista said Obama looked like she could be cast in "Planet of the Apes" during Wednesday's episode of "El Gordo y La Flaca," prompting studio brass to immediately pull his bio from the network's talent page.
On Thursday, Univision issued a statement to People en Español confirming Figueroa's departure.
Rodner has since written a letter to Obama apologizing for his comments. "I offer my sincere apologies for a comment I made over the characterization a makeup artists made about you on the entertainment program "El Gordo y La Flaca" yesterday, and was misinterpreted," Rodner wrote.
The Office of the First Lady hasn't commented on Figueroa's letter, but that hasn't stopped social media users from reacting. The social media response has been mixed since the ordeal with some in favor of Univison's remarks while others supporting Figueroa.
It's people like #rodnerfigueroa who give us Latinos a bad rep. Proud of #Univision for acting quickly and having zero tolerance for racism
— Roxana Funderburk (@FoxxyTica) March 12, 2015
#RodnerFigueroa was wrong making those comments regarding the First Lady. As a black Latina, I am proud of @Univision for taking a stand. — AJM (@ajm510) March 12, 2015
Sad to see people are defending #RodnerFigueroa by saying "everybody makes mistakes." Racism is not something you dismiss as a "mistake." — El Motero (@ElMoteroIsGreat) March 12, 2015
Una falta de respeto a este pais. El que sube como palma cae como coco . Bien por @Univision #rodnerfigueroa — LUIS BETANCUR (@luisfdopelaez) March 12, 2015
Some even took shots at Univision for what they believe is growing problem among Latinos on television.
If we're really gonna talk about racism we should point out the fact that brown Latinos aren't represented in #Univision #rodnerfigueroa — vanessa (@bieber_goldfish) March 12, 2015
Univison dice cero tolerancia al racismo, y el 99.9% de sus emplados son de piel clara #rodnerfigueroa — LizzHN (@lizz_hn) March 12, 2015
Despite the controversy Figueroa still has supporters, many which sympathize with the embattled television host.
Por que todo en la vida no puede ser felicidad y alegría. Mi amigo @RodnerFigueroa pic.twitter.com/gNrf6WLHM2 — Raúl De Molina (@rauldemolina) March 12, 2015
I don't think that's a racist remark. It's very inelegant #rodnerfigueroa however, you didn't deserve to be terminated. Too drastic
— Le Noir EWE1 (@black_ewe) March 12, 2015
@PedroJulio por lo que veo usted es un hombre que nunca se ha equivocado! #rodnerfigueroa te apoyamos — Marcelo Hernandez (@89marcelo) March 13, 2015
#rodnerfigueroa....creo que una suspensión por unos días era más justo...se mal interpretó su comentario...es todo!!!A mí él me encanta... — DANIA MUNIZ (@dania_muniz) March 13, 2015
For his part, Figueroa hasn't posted any type of apology on Facebook or Twitter, replying only to the above @PedroJulio Tweet left on his wall Thursday afternoon.
There is no word on who will replace the 42-year-old Venezuelan on "Sal y Pimienta" or who will take his place on beauty pageant contest "Nuestra Belleza Latina."
Now the question remains, was the decision to harsh? Vote down below.
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