Rodner Figueroa, the former Univision host and fashion reporter who was fired in March for making an alleged racist remark about Michelle Obama in which he likened the First Lady’s appearance to that of a cast member on "Planet of the Apes," is back on the scene -- or at least on Instagram.


"What a beautiful day! I just wanted to thank you for your support and affection! I love you!" the fashion-forward host said on Monday in a message written in both English and Spanish.

Figueroa has made claims, regarding his firing, in which he asserts that he was illegally terminated and has hinted that the real reason he got canned was because of his support for the unionization of Univision.

As detailed in a Variety article, a letter sent to Univision by Figueroa’s attorney contends that the network leaked representations to the media that he was fired for saying that the first lady “looks like part of the cast of ‘Planet of the Apes’ the movie.”

Figueroa attests, through his attorney Martin Singer, that his remarks were directed toward makeup artist Paolo Ballesteros.

Singer stated in his letter 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.” He also noted that the Standards and Practices department did not see fit to step in and intervene.

Singer maintains that Figueroa was fired as retribution for his efforts to promote SAG-AFTRA, an actors union, at Univision.

Figueroa’s lawyer wrote: “Make no mistake, despite Univision’s best efforts, Latino talent will not be forced to ‘sit on the back of the bus’ any longer.”

Although the public seems to have had very little tolerance for whatever Figueroa meant by bringing up the sci-fi film in the same sentence with Michelle Obama, actress Raven-Symone seemed to think the incident was all overblown.

When the 29-year-old former "Cosby" Kid was on “The View” discussing the matter she said that some people just look like animals.

 As quoted in Us Magazine, the "Empire" actress put herself in the discussion and said: "I look like a bird! So can I be mad if somebody calls me Toucan Sam?"