HGTV has cut ties with longtime star Nicole Curtis after explosive footage surfaced showing the Rehab Addict host using a racial slur during filming. The unaired clip, obtained by Radar, allegedly captures Curtis uttering the offensive term while working on a renovation project roughly two years ago. Within hours of the video coming to light, the network pulled her show from its platforms, sending shockwaves through the home renovation world.
In the footage, Curtis appears frustrated during a construction moment when she blurts out the slur. Realizing instantly what she had said, she panics and pleads with the crew to delete the recording. “What did I just say?” she asks, according to the report, urging a producer to “kill” the audio. But the crew member refuses, saying the cameras were still rolling and he wouldn’t erase it.
Curtis, 49, has been one of HGTV’s most recognizable faces since Rehab Addict debuted in 2010. Marketed as a hands-on preservationist who restores historic homes with grit and authenticity, she built a loyal fan base over more than a decade on air. Known for rolling up her sleeves alongside her construction team, she branded herself as the real-deal alternative to glossy, big-budget renovation shows.
HGTV responded swiftly once contacted about the clip. In a statement, the network said it had recently become aware of the offensive comment and condemned the language as hurtful and inconsistent with its values. The network confirmed it removed Rehab Addict from all HGTV platforms and emphasized its commitment to respect and inclusion across its programming.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Curtis. New episodes were set to air following a hiatus, and promotional posts hyping her return were already circulating online. After the controversy erupted, at least one Instagram post promoting the comeback was quietly deleted. Viewers also noted that the outfit she wore in the resurfaced footage appears to match what she had on in a recent season premiere episode filmed in Wyoming.
Curtis has since taken to social media, defending her work style and distancing herself from the idea of a large production apparatus. She described her show as raw and stripped down, insisting she remains proud of how authentically it was made. But with the series now scrubbed from HGTV’s platforms and the backlash still unfolding, the future of her television career remains uncertain.
