HGTV Star Nicole Curtis Responds After Ex-Boyfriend Calls Her 'Bad Person' But Not Racist

Curtis claims leaked video of her using racial slur was from 2022 and manipulated, while ex-boyfriend Ryan Sawtelle defends her against racism accusations.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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HGTV star Nicole Curtis was fired from the network after a leaked video showed her using a racial slur during a renovation project. Her ex-boyfriend Ryan Sawtelle, who also worked on her show 'Rehab Addict,' defended Curtis against accusations of racism, though he described her as a 'bad person' who treats her crew 'like garbage.' Curtis claimed the video was from 2022 and was manipulated, apologizing for her remarks but stating the word is not part of her regular vocabulary.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding Nicole Curtis' use of a racial slur has led to her firing from HGTV and raised questions about racism and accountability in the home renovation TV industry. Her ex-boyfriend's mixed assessment of her character also highlights the complex personal dynamics that can exist behind the scenes of these shows.

The details

In the leaked video, Curtis is seen having an issue with some wiring and blurts out the N-word, saying, 'Why? It's the last one. Oh, fart n*****.' Sawtelle, who was also in the video holding a ladder, told TMZ that Curtis often used 'nonsensical words and gibberish' to avoid cursing on the show, and the crew laughed because they knew the racial slur 'isn't her.' However, Sawtelle also described Curtis as a 'bad person' who treats her crew 'like garbage.' Curtis claimed the video was from a separate 2022 project and was manipulated, apologizing for her remarks but stating the word is not part of her regular vocabulary.

  • The leaked video was from 2022, according to Curtis.
  • Curtis was fired from HGTV on February 11, 2026.

The players

Nicole Curtis

The host of HGTV's 'Rehab Addict' who was fired from the network after a leaked video showed her using a racial slur during a renovation project.

Ryan Sawtelle

Nicole Curtis' ex-boyfriend who also worked on 'Rehab Addict,' and who defended Curtis against accusations of racism while also describing her as a 'bad person' who treats her crew 'like garbage.'

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What they’re saying

“As much as I dislike her, and it may be validating to see her get in trouble, she is unequivocally not a racist. Nor has she ever said anything racially insensitive over the years we dated, and I have known her.”

— Ryan Sawtelle, Nicole Curtis' ex-boyfriend (TMZ)

“I am sorry. I am filled with remorse and regret, just as much as I was one second after that word was said 4 years ago in 2022.”

— Nicole Curtis (Instagram)

What’s next

Curtis has stated that this incident will 'never happen again,' and it remains to be seen if she will be able to repair her reputation and potentially return to television in the future.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the need for greater accountability and sensitivity around the use of racist language, even in the context of home renovation television shows. It also underscores the complex personal dynamics that can exist behind the scenes of these programs.