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UPDATED, 8:50 p.m. EST, 3-13-15

Former Univision talk show host Rodner Figueroa wants First Lady Michelle Obama to know that he’s sorry for comments he made about her and has issued an apology.

He also wants Mrs. Obama to know that he is not a racist.

TheWrap reports:

Figueroa, who was fired from Univision’s “El Gordo y la Flaca” after he said that First Lady Obama “looks like she’s from the cast of ‘Planet of the Apes,’” has issued a profuse apology to Obama in an open letter obtained by TheWrap.

“I offer my sincere apology for an unfortunate comment I made about a makeup artist’s depiction of you on Univision’s show ‘El Gordo y La Flaca’ yesterday. It was clearly in bad taste and misunderstood,” Figueroa’s letter began. “I would like to explain that my remark was not directed at you, but at the result of an artist’s depiction of you that I found wasn’t accurate. The entire video clip in context corroborates this.”

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.

SEE ALSO: Michelle Obama Goes Viral With #TurnipForWhat

“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.”‘

SEE ALSO: Secret Service Agents Allegedly Crash Into White House Barricade, Were Not Arrested

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.

Watch Roland Martin host of “NewsOne One,” Dru Ealons, Political and Lifestyle Blogger,  Dr. Wilmer Leon, Political Strategist and Janaye Ingram, National Executive Director, National Action Network discuss the last act of disrespect shown towards First Lady Michelle Obama in the video clip above.

Be sure to watch “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 9 a.m. EST on TV One.

Subscribe to the “NewsOne Now” Audio Podcast on iTunes.

UPDATE: Fired Univision Talk Show Host Apologizes To Michelle Obama For Comparing Her To Character In ‘Planet Of The Apes’ [VIDEO]  was originally published on newsone.com

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