A host of the Spanish U.S. television network, Univision, has lost his job after comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to monkeys in the movie "Planet of the Apes."

Emmy Award-winner Rodner Figueroa said he lost his job after the White House complained to Univision about remarks he made live over-the-air on Wednesday.

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In a statement on Thursday, Figueroa insisted that the first lady's staff got in touch with Univision. He added in the letter addressed to the first lady that he was verbally told of the complaint and then he was fired. Mrs. Obama's office has no comment on the letter.

An executive of Univision said it was not true that the White House had filed a complaint over Figueroa's comment. The executive did say the network told the White House on Saturday morning about its statement.

On Wednesday, Figueroa said in a live broadcast that Michelle Obama resembled characters in the "Planet of the Apes" as pictures of the first lady were flashed on screen.

In a statement on Saturday, Figueroa said his comments were directed at the poor work done by a make-up artist. He explained that the complete footage of the broadcast showed that context.

Figueroa also cited his own racial roots in insisting that he is not a "racist," coming from a mixed Latino family whose members include his father who is black Latino.

He said he regretted his comment, saying sorry to Mrs. Obama and making "no excuse" for a comment, which he said could be heard as racist or offensive during "these volatile times we're living in."

He pointed to his own voting record as his defense, saying he openly voted twice for Barack Obama because he considers the president a "great man" who respects minorities like him in the country.

On Thursday, Univision did confirm reports Figueroa is no longer affiliated with the network. In a public statement, Univision announced that, on Friday, during the airing of the entertainment show "El Gordo y La Flaca," Rodner Figueroa had made remarks regarding First Lady Michelle Obama that were "completely reprehensible" and in no way reflected Univision's views or values.

The network said that as a result of the comment, Figueroa was immediately terminated.