HGTV Cancels 'Rehab Addict' After Host Nicole Curtis Uses Racial Slur

Curtis claims the footage was 'stolen and manipulated' to 'create this chaos of hate'

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nicole Curtis, the longtime host of HGTV's home renovation show 'Rehab Addict,' has apologized for saying a racial slur while filming that was caught in a resurfaced clip from 2022. HGTV has canceled the show after the clip spread online, with Curtis claiming the footage was 'stolen then manipulated, edited and sold to a tabloid' to coincide with her return to television.

Why it matters

The use of racial slurs, even if unintentional, is a serious issue that can have significant consequences, especially for public figures. HGTV's decision to cancel 'Rehab Addict' highlights the network's commitment to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion, and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their actions.

The details

In the video, Curtis appears to accidentally say the N-word while renovating a home and immediately expresses shock, saying 'what the fuck is that that I just said?' She then asks someone on her team to 'kill that.' HGTV has since removed the series from all of its platforms, stating that the language used 'does not align with the values of HGTV.'

  • The incident occurred in 2022 during the filming of 'Rehab Addict'.
  • The first two episodes of 'Rehab Addict' Season 9 aired in July 2025, but the run was cut short after Curtis decided to shelve the remaining episodes and recut them for a later release.
  • The rest of the season was supposed to return on February 12, 2026, but that plan has been scrapped.

The players

Nicole Curtis

The longtime host of HGTV's home renovation show 'Rehab Addict'.

HGTV

The television network that has canceled 'Rehab Addict' after the incident involving Nicole Curtis.

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What they’re saying

“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. I show this, I say this and I realize you are getting a limited view as what has been circulating is a clip of MY footage that was stolen then manipulated, edited and sold to a tabloid to coincide with my return to television only to create this chaos of hate, anger, disappointment.”

— Nicole Curtis (Instagram)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing need for public figures to be held accountable for their actions, even if unintentional, and the importance of fostering a culture of respect and inclusion in the entertainment industry and beyond.