HGTV Fans React as Nicole Curtis Is Fired Over Racial Slur

Nicole Curtis, star of HGTV’s Rehab Addict, has been fired after a video surfaced showing her using a racial slur during filming. The network announced the cancellation of her show and removed it from all platforms, sparking widespread backlash among fans.

The Incident

The video, first shared by RadarOnline, captured Curtis struggling with wiring during a renovation project. In frustration, she blurted out the N-word, followed by, “What the f** is that I just said?”* She then asked for the footage to be deleted, saying, “F** my life.”*

HGTV responded swiftly, stating: “Not only is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees – it does not align with the values of HGTV.” The network confirmed the series was pulled from broadcast and streaming.

Curtis’s Apology

Curtis issued an apology through TMZ, insisting the word was not part of her vocabulary. “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,” she wrote.

She also reflected on her time with 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.”

Fan Reactions

Despite her apology, fans expressed outrage across social media. Curtis even shared some of the harsh messages she received:

• “Good, now you will have more time to be a mom. A racist mom nonetheless.”
• “If it’s not part of your vocabulary, why did you say it? Lying racist b****.”
• “Everything good you have ever done is now forgotten because what you are known for now is being a RACIST B****!”

On Reddit, users argued the slur seemed casual, suggesting it was part of her everyday language. One commenter wrote: “She said it so casually. As casually as most people would say ‘oh st’ or ‘damn’ when making a mistake.”

End of an Era

Curtis had hosted Rehab Addict since 2010. Season 9 premiered in June 2025 but was paused after only two episodes due to personal setbacks. The remaining episodes were scheduled to air this week before HGTV terminated the show. The incident has not only ended Curtis’s long-running partnership with HGTV but also raised broader conversations about accountability and the consequences of offensive language in entertainment.