HGTV has abruptly canceled hit show “Rehab Addict” and severed all ties with its star, Nicole Curtis, after she was accused of making “an offensive racial comment” during filming of the series.
A shocking clip of Curtis, 49, using the N-word was revealed by Radar Online on Feb. 11—the same day that the latest episodes of “Rehab Addict” were set to air on the home improvement network.
In the video, Curtis is seen using the racial slur, then quickly asking producers to “kill” the clip.
It’s unclear when exactly the moment was filmed.
However, HGTV immediately issued a statement regarding the incident, confirming that it has canceled “Rehab Addict” permanently—and removed all previously aired episodes from its partner streaming platforms, HBO Max and Disney+.
“HGTV was recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of ‘Rehab Addict,'” the statement began. “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. We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
Following the release of the video, Curtis issued an apology, insisting that the racial slur is “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 told TMZ.
“I’m grateful for the 15-year journey we’ve shared,” she continued. “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.”
The former HGTV star then shared her text messages with someone from the outlet on her Instagram, noting, “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.”
Realtor.com® has reached out to Curtis for comment.
The news of HGTV cutting ties with Curtis comes just days after she left fans stunned when she announced that her hit series would be returning months ahead of schedule—revealing that the new season will debut on Feb. 11 after the home renovation network told her it was “now or never.”
Curtis initially revealed the sudden return of “Rehab Addict” in a Feb. 8 Instagram post, explaining to fans that the revival of the series came as something of a shock to her.
“Straight from Detroit—the new episodes drop Wednesday … was told now or never—so you get them now,” she wrote. “And can you do me a huge show of support by sharing this. Sending it to friends, tag a friend, a stranger.”
Days later, Curtis and HGTV released a trailer for the new episode of the series on social media, while revealing that the latest installment of “Rehab Addict” will air at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. ET, a drastic change from the 9 p.m. prime-time slot it enjoyed during its last run over the summer.
Curtis abruptly ended the show’s ninth season in July 2025 with just two episodes aired, announcing at the time that she’d made the “executive decision” to recut the other installments.
What was then thought to be the return of “Rehab Addict” angered some fans who were left particularly upset by the change in time slot from the evening to the middle of the day.
“HGTV is messing with you by dumping your new show at noon,” wrote one, as another said: “So excited to see Nicole back in action. But, HGTV, why the crappy time slot?? She deserves prime time!!!”
A third chimed in: “What’s with the time slot? Give this show a better time slot.”
In response to the backlash, Curtis admitted that she had asked similar questions of the network, stating in a comment response to one fan: “Brilliant question to which I’ve received no answer that makes sense to me.”
In another post, she added, “I could say more, but I shall say less. Thank you for 15 years of amazing, amazing support! Your love took me from a struggling mommy working odd jobs in Craigslist to a real estate mogul whose voice (more than face) gets recognized all over the world.”
Curtis previously opened up about the “devastating” decision to step back from her filming obligations to focus on her personal well-being, explaining to People how she slowly found her way back to her love of home projects.
Curtis, who hails from Detroit, did not reveal details about the “setback” that led to her disappearance from screens. However, she did lay bare the ways in which she went about getting her life back on track—a journey that she credited to her faith and her newfound fondness for travel.
“I had a setback in my life that just rocked me to the core, and it was one of those moments where I thought, ‘How do I get through this one?’” she said.
“I prayed on it, and it was just devastating for me. I had to make a decision right there and then, like, ‘OK, we’re going to let this affect us for a very long time, or we’re going to pick it up and go,'” she added.
Curtis—who shares children Ethan, whom she welcomed in 1997, with ex Steven Cimini, and Harper, born in 2015, whom she shares with ex Shane Maguire—noted that this season would not see her children partaking, revealing that she was going to keep much of her life private going forward.
“Rehab Addict” premiered in 2010.
