‘Rehab Addict’ Star Nicole Curtis Alleges Fraud Attempt Over Racial Slur Video That Led to HGTV Firing
Former HGTV star Nicole Curtis he said his home network cut ties with him after “someone” demanded he pay them or they would leak his film using racial slurs.
Curtis’ show “Rehab Addict” was abruptly canceled after he was accused of making “racially offensive comments” during the series’ taping.
Shocking footage of Curtis, 49, using a racial slur was revealed by Radar Online on Feb. 11—the same day the latest episodes of “Rehab Addict” aired on the home improvement network.
In the video, Curtis is seen using a racial slur, then quickly asks the producers to “kill” the clip. It is unclear when exactly the comments were recorded.
After HGTV released a statement saying they were removing any connection between the network and Curtis, the former TV star took to Instagram to explain how the video was released to the public—while clarifying that it wasn’t her team.
“I didn’t get a contract from any network or show. (think free agent in sports) Any team that is hired, paid by me, The video is mine. My team did not steal my videos. I don’t have ‘sets’. I own all my properties. In other words, no one is my ‘manager’, I am the manager. I create the product and sell my collaboration contract with its limit.
“Someone (not the team) who knows how to reach, wanted [money]I didn’t pay – we’re here,” said Curtis on social media.
After the release of the video, HGTV immediately issued a statement about the incident, confirming that it has permanently canceled “The Rehab Addict” – and removed all episodes that were previously broadcast on its partner streaming platforms, HBO Max and Disney +.
“HGTV has recently been made aware of an offensive racial slur 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’s inconsistent with HGTV’s standards.
“Therefore, we have removed the series from all HGTV platforms. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion in all of our content and our workplace.”
After the video was released, Curtis issued an apology, insisting that racial slurs were “not part” of his “words”.
“I want to be clear: the word in question is wrong and it’s not part of my vocabulary and it never has been, and I apologize to everyone,” he told TMZ.
“I am grateful for this journey of 15 years that we have shared,” he continued. “It’s been a meaningful chapter, but my focus is not on my career. My focus, right now, is on my relationships, and my community—people who don’t really know my character and where my heart is.”
The former HGTV star then shared her messages with a shoplifter on her Instagram, saying, “There’s a lot to this, but my family comes first and I need to be a mom right now more than anything else.
“I’m going to take the time to be like I’ve always been with you, I’m open and honest. TMZ called me when I just turned on my phone after I was at school—I said this briefly—but there’s more.”
Realtor.com® has reached out to Curtis for comment.
The news that HGTV has cut ties with Curtis came just days after she left fans stunned when she announced her hit series would be returning months ahead of schedule—revealing that the new season will begin on February 11, after the home improvement network told her it was “now or never.”
Curtis first revealed the sudden return of “Rehab Addict” on Instagram on Feb. 8, explaining to fans that the renewal of the series came as a shock to him.
“From Detroit – new episodes drop Wednesday … it’s now or never – so you got it now,” he wrote. “And you can give me a big show of support by sharing this. Sending it to friends, tagging a friend, a stranger.”
Days later, Curtis and HGTV released a trailer for a new episode of the series on social media, while revealing that the latest installment of “Rehab Addict” will air at 12:00 and 1:00 ET, a big change from the 9 pm prime-time slot it enjoyed last summer.
Curtis abruptly ended the show’s ninth season in July 2025 after only two episodes aired, announcing at the time that he had made a “big decision” to return for more installments.
What was then thought to be the return of “Rehab Addict” angered some fans who were left very upset by the time change from the evening to the middle of the day.
In response to the backlash, Curtis admitted that he had asked the same questions of the network, responding to another fan’s response: “It’s a smart question that I didn’t get a reasonable answer to.”
In another post, she added, “I could say more, but I’ll say less. Thank you for 15 years of amazing, amazing support! Your love took me from a struggling mom working odd jobs on Craigslist to a realtor whose name (more than face) is known around the world.”
Curtis previously opened up about the “bad” decision to step back from his recording duties to focus on his well-being, explaining to People how he found his way back to his love of home projects.
Curtis, who is originally from Detroit, did not reveal details about the “setback” that led to his disappearance from the screens. However, hehe didhe revealed how he began to get his life back on track—a journey he credits to his faith and his newfound love of travel.
Curtis-who shares childrenEthanaccepted in 1997, and exSteven CiminiagainHarperborn in 2015, shared exShane Maguire-he noted that this season he will not see his children eat, which shows that he will keep his private life going forward.
“Rehab Addict” premiered in 2010.
