In a recent interview that has drawn significant attention, HGTV star Nicole Curtis addressed a resurfaced video showing her using a racial slur during the filming of her long-running series Rehab Addict. The 49-year-old host, known for her home renovation expertise, appeared on the March 10 episode of “The Breakfast Club” radio show to explain the incident, claiming she had intended to use made-up nonsense words instead. The controversy erupted in February when RadarOnline published the footage, leading HGTV to pull the show from its platforms entirely.
Curtis, who rose to fame with Rehab Addict on the DIY Network in 2010 before the series transitioned to HGTV in 2014, has built a career around restoring historic homes, particularly in her adopted hometown of Detroit. The ninth season of the show premiered with two episodes in June 2025, but production faced delays amid broader network changes. Curtis announced via Instagram that she was shelving the remaining episodes until fall, citing the demanding hours and a desire to prioritize family time during summer. “I made the executive decision to shelf the rest of our new shows until fall. I appreciate your support and understanding for the late notice,” she wrote at the time. “It’s just a lot of hours (my hours) to get a show on air and we (my family + me) thought – why are we giving up summer when we have the ability to do this in the fall?”
The planned return in February 2025 was derailed when the offensive clip surfaced. In the video, Curtis is heard using the N-word while working on a renovation project for the series. HGTV responded swiftly, confirming the removal of the show from its lineup. “HGTV 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 stated to Us Weekly. “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.”
Warner Bros. Discovery, HGTV’s parent company, took further action by pulling the remaining new episodes from the schedule and removing past seasons from streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+. This decision came as part of a larger shakeup at the network, where five other shows — Battle on the Beach, Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, Bargain Block, and Izzy Does It — were canceled around the same period.
Curtis first addressed the scandal on her Instagram Story shortly after the story broke. “There is more to this, but my family comes first and I need to be mom right now more than anything else,” she posted. “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 …” The post suggested she planned a fuller explanation, which she later provided on “The Breakfast Club.”
“Do you have boys? Boys talk about farts all the time,” Curtis told hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God during the interview. “OK, again, I can’t swear on my show. OK, so yes, I’ve made up these crazy words.”
She elaborated that the slur she used was a slip for terms like “fart digger” and “fart knocker,” which she claimed were part of her playful, family-oriented vocabulary. Curtis emphasized that such invented words were common in her household, especially around her sons, and denied any intent to use offensive language. “I don’t have a rhyme or reason of the words that I make up. I say nonsense stuff all the time,” she added.
The hosts, particularly Charlamagne Tha God, pushed back on her explanation. The 47-year-old co-host questioned the plausibility of her substitute phrases. “Fart digger sounds like you’re playing with assholes all day. Why? That’s another conversation. Why would you be digging in random asses, digging for farts?” he remarked, highlighting the awkwardness of her defense.
Curtis also brought up her personal life to contextualize her background, noting that she and her family live in Detroit, a city with a significant Black population. This prompted further scrutiny from Charlamagne. “So your best friends are Black and you live in the hood. What are you trying to prove here when you keep saying you’re from Detroit,” he asked. “I’m trying to figure out what you are trying to say.” Curtis maintained that she was simply sharing her reality to underscore that slurs are not part of her daily speech.
She stood firm in her account, insisting on her innocence. “I came here to have an open conversation and I didn’t have to,” Curtis said, framing the interview as a voluntary effort to clarify the situation. Despite the tense exchanges, she reiterated her commitment to transparency with her audience, a trait she has cultivated over more than a decade on television.
The incident has broader implications for Curtis’ career, which has been marked by both acclaim and personal challenges. Rehab Addict not only showcased her renovation skills but also her advocacy for preserving Midwestern architecture, often focusing on neglected properties in Minneapolis and Detroit. Curtis, originally from Ohio, has positioned herself as a relatable, hands-on personality, appealing to viewers interested in DIY projects and family values.
However, the scandal echoes other high-profile cases in entertainment where resurfaced footage has led to professional repercussions. For instance, actors like Johnny Depp have faced job losses due to past controversies, as noted in related coverage. Curtis’ situation adds to a timeline of delays for Rehab Addict, which has seen multiple pauses over the years, including scheduling shifts and personal milestones like the birth of her children.
HGTV’s response underscores the network’s evolving standards on content. In recent years, the channel has emphasized diversity and inclusion, canceling shows that fail to meet these criteria and promoting talent from varied backgrounds. The removal of Rehab Addict aligns with this approach, though it leaves fans of the series without access to its full catalog.
As of now, Curtis has not announced future projects, focusing instead on her family. The entertainment industry continues to grapple with how to handle such incidents, balancing accountability with opportunities for redemption. Curtis’ interview on “The Breakfast Club” may serve as her primary platform for addressing the matter further, though public reaction remains divided, with some supporters accepting her explanation and others viewing it as insufficient.
Looking ahead, the hiatus could impact HGTV’s lineup, especially as the network navigates post-pandemic production challenges and viewer demands for ethical programming. Curtis, who has hinted at more to share, may seek new avenues to continue her work in home restoration, potentially outside traditional television. For now, the story of Rehab Addict’s end serves as a cautionary tale in an era where past words can swiftly reshape a public figure’s legacy.