The network HGTV has canceled Rehab Addict after its star was caught on camera saying the n-word, in leaked footage obtained by the news outlet RadarOnline.
Nicole Curtis, who has been fired by the network, shared an apology online that has received significant criticism from social media users.
In addition to canceling the show and firing Curtis, HGTV has removed the entire series from the HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming platforms.
Newsweek has contacted HGTV via email and Curtis via social media for comment outside regular office hours.
Who Is Nicole Curtis?
Curtis was the star of Rehab Addict, a reality series that began in 2010 and followed her across the country as she restored old, historic homes in cities such as Detroit and Minneapolis. She is also the mother of two sons.
A May news release announced that Curtis would be saving two derelict properties that were 1,500 miles apart—one in Detroit and one in Wyoming.
The Wyoming house was a 1980s property subjected to a bad flip and the house in Detroit, Curtis’ hometown, was “one of the dirtiest abandoned homes” she’d ever seen, the announcement said.
The most recent season of the show first aired in June, and a few days ago, Curtis wrote on social media that new episodes from Detroit would soon air.
What Happened in the Video
In footage recorded for Rehab Addict, which RadarOnline obtained and published on February 11, Curtis can be seen standing on a ladder and struggling with home renovation work. She then says: “Why? It’s the last one. Oh, fart n*****.”
The reality TV star appears shocked by her expression, adding: “What the f*** is that that I just said?” Laughter can be heard in the background, and Curtis addresses someone off-screen, saying, “Nick, you gotta, you gotta—can you kill that?”
A person, presumably Nick, can be heard responding: “No. I’ve got 35 minutes. I can’t kill that.” Curtis then says, “Oh f*** my life.”
After receiving the unaired footage, RadarOnline said it approached Curtis’ representatives for comment, and that initially a spokesperson told the outlet, “We can’t comment on anything that we are not aware of.”
The outlet reported that the spokesperson did not respond before the publication of the article, despite being pressed further.
A source also told RadarOnline: “When something happens, we all know about it. … This footage has made it around to the [production] community she [has] screwed over.”
They added, according to the outlet: “You [Nicole] deserve everything you get. Treat us with dignity and respect, and quit making money off of our backs. … You are a trash human.”
The source told the outlet that the clip was from footage filmed about two years ago, and RadarOnline reported that the outfit Curtis wore matched one she was wearing in the episode “Nicole Goes West,” which aired in June.
Curtis’ Apology
In a message sent to the outlet TMZ, Curtis said: “Regarding HGTV, I’m grateful for the 15-year journey we’ve shared. It’s been a meaningful chapter, but my focus isn’t on my career. My focus, at this moment is rightfully on my relationships, and my community—the people who truly know my character and where my heart is. I want to be clear: the word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been, and I apologize to everyone. As discussed, I’m a mom and I was doing mom things all day and unplugged. I realize my shows were airing, but my family is my priority and I’m just catching up to all this now.”
She wrote in a separate Instagram post: “There is more to this, but my family comes first and I need to be mom right now more than anything else. I will take the time to be as I’ve always been with you, transparent and honest. TMZ called me as I had just turned my phone on after being at school -I said this briefly -but there is more.”
After sharing her statement to TMZ in an Instagram story, Curtis also added a number of the responses she’d received following the post, which included a slew of criticism and insults from social media users.
Many users called her racist, with one writing, “Everything good you have ever done is now forgotten.” Another Instagram user asked Curtis, “If it’s not part of your vocabulary why did you say it?”
Social media users on X also commented on Curtis’ use of the word, with one writing that she “says that word like she’s been saying it her whole life. She only freaks out when she realizes that she let it slip out on camera.”
Another X user commented on Curtis sharing the criticism she had received: “I guess we’re supposed to feel bad for her in all of this? Typical.”
What Has HGTV Said?
In a statement to Page Six, the network said: “HGTV was recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of Rehab Addict. Not only is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees—it does not align with the values of HGTV.”
“Accordingly, we have removed the series from all HGTV platforms,” the network added. “We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
