HGTV cancels Nicole Curtis ‘Rehab Addict’ after racial slur video leaks: Star issues emotional apology
Nicole Curtis. Image Credit: Nicole Curtis/Instagram
HGTV has officially canceled its long-running renovation series Rehab Addict after leaked production footage showed host Nicole Curtis using a racial slur while filming.
The decision came on February 11, the same day the show was scheduled to return to television. The network confirmed it had removed the series from all HGTV platforms, calling the language used in the clip “hurtful and disappointing” and inconsistent with its values.
Curtis has since issued a public apology, saying the word “is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been.”
Leaked Video Triggers Immediate Fallout
The controversy began when Radar Online published behind-the-scenes footage from the set of Rehab Addict. In the clip, Curtis appears frustrated during a renovation moment and blurts out the racial slur. She is seen immediately reacting in shock and asking for the moment to be “killed.”
Despite that request, the footage was later released online.
The timing intensified the backlash, as the video surfaced the same day new episodes of the show were set to air following a hiatus.
HGTV Responds: Show Removed From All Platforms
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, HGTV said it 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,” the network said.
HGTV confirmed the show has been removed from all platforms, signaling a definitive end to the series after a 15-year run.
The network added that it remains “dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
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Nicole Curtis Issues Public Apology
Curtis addressed the controversy in a statement to TMZ, saying:
“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 also said she was unaware of HGTV’s decision to pull the show the same day it was set to return.
On Instagram, Curtis shared part of her communication with TMZ and told fans that there is “more to this,” but emphasized that her immediate focus is on her family.
“My focus isn’t on my career,” she wrote. “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.”
She added that she would take time to be “transparent and honest” with her supporters.
The Rise and Pause of ‘Rehab Addict’
Rehab Addict premiered in 2010 and followed Curtis as she restored historic homes slated for demolition. The show built a loyal audience over nearly a decade.
After an extended break, it returned in June 2025 for Season 9. Curtis previously revealed that personal setbacks contributed to the hiatus, describing a period that “rocked me to the core.”
However, after airing two episodes in 2025, Curtis announced she had made the “executive decision” to shelf remaining episodes until fall. In October 2025, she confirmed that she had “recut” the remaining season following discussions with HGTV.
Earlier this month, both Curtis and HGTV teased new episodes set to air on February 11, plans that were halted following the leaked video controversy.
Industry Impact and Broader Conversation
The cancellation underscores how networks are increasingly swift in responding to controversial language and conduct, particularly when it conflicts with corporate commitments to diversity and inclusion.
HGTV’s decision to remove the series entirely reflects a zero-tolerance stance, even for long-running talent with established audiences.
For Curtis, the future of her television career remains uncertain. As of now, neither she nor HGTV has announced any potential next steps beyond the show’s cancellation.
FAQ
Why was Nicole Curtis’ Rehab Addict canceled?
HGTV canceled Rehab Addict after leaked footage showed Nicole Curtis using a racial slur while filming. The network said the language did not align with its values.
What did Nicole Curtis say in the video?
In behind-the-scenes footage published online, Curtis appeared frustrated and used a racial slur. She immediately reacted and asked for the moment to be removed.
Did Nicole Curtis apologize?
Yes. Curtis publicly apologized, stating the word was wrong and not part of her vocabulary, and expressed regret for the incident.
When did HGTV cancel the show?
HGTV removed Rehab Addict from its platforms on February 11, 2026, the same day the show was scheduled to return with new episodes.
How long did Rehab Addict run?
The series premiered in 2010 and ran for 15 years, including a 2025 revival season before its cancellation.
Is Rehab Addict coming back?
As of now, HGTV has removed the show from all platforms and has not announced any plans for its return.
Was Nicole Curtis fired by HGTV?
HGTV has not used the term “fired,” but confirmed the show was removed following the incident.
What did HGTV say about the controversy?
HGTV stated that the language used was hurtful and did not align with the network’s values, reaffirming its commitment to respect and inclusion.