Raven-Symoné Defends Univisión Anchor Rodner Figueroa

After Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision, where he hosted multiple shows like "Sal y Pimienta" and "El Gordo y La Flaca", for making remarks about Michelle Obama saying "she looked like she was from the 'Planet of the Apes.'” Most people were outraged by the comments and supported Univision’s decision, but it turns out Raven-Symoné is on Figueroas side. The Afro-American actress appeared on “The View” and said the comment was nothing to make a big deal of. “I don’t think he was saying it racist,” Symoné said. “Not Michelle Obama. Michelle, don’t fire me from this right now, but some people do look like animals.” The actress continued by joking, “Is that rude? I look like a bird… so can I be mad at somebody that calls me Toucan Sam?”

While Figueroa’s had a few people back him up, the host himself issued and apology saying there was no excuse for his comments: “I feel embarrassed, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make those types of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in a volatile moment that we live in our country.” As for Raven-Symoné, this is not the first time the actress puts herself in the middle of controversy like this. Last year, in an interview with Oprah, the “Cosby Show” star said she rejected cultural labels like “gay” or “African-American.” Shortly after, Symoné issued an apology saying “I never said I wasn’t black.”