Detroit – HGTV has cancelled Rehab Addict, its long-running home restoration series, following host Nicole Curtis’s use of a racial slur during filming. The incident, which surfaced on Feb. 11, prompted the network to immediately remove the show from all its platforms.
A Controversial Slip-Up Ends a Run
A video showing Curtis using the n-word while filming was posted by Radar Online. According to reports, the incident occurred as Season 9 was slated to return the following day, after Curtis had previously paused the release of the first two episodes in July 2025. “What the f–k is that I just said?” Curtis reportedly said after uttering the slur. “Nick, you gotta, you gotta, can you kill that? F–k my life.”
What does this mean for fans of Rehab Addict? The show, which followed Curtis’s restoration of historic homes in Detroit and Minneapolis, is no longer available on HGTV, HBO Max, or Discovery+.
HGTV swiftly responded to the clip’s release, stating it had removed the series from all HGTV platforms. “HGTV was recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of Rehab Addict,” the network said in a statement to Variety. “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.”
The network further emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, adding, “We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
Upon learning of the cancellation, Curtis addressed the situation on her Instagram Stories, writing, “There is more to this, but my family comes first and I need to be mom right now more than anything else.”
She continued, sharing a screenshot of a text conversation with TMZ, stating, “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.”
Curtis also expressed gratitude for her 15-year relationship with HGTV, but indicated her priorities had shifted. “Regarding HGTV, I’m grateful for the 15-year journey we’ve shared. 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,” she wrote.
“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,” her statement concluded. “As discussed, I’m a mom and I was doing mom things all day and unplugged. I realize my shows were airing, but my family is my priority and I’m just catching up to all this now.”
Rehab Addict, which premiered in 2010 on DIY Network before moving to HGTV in 2014, followed Curtis as she revitalized historic homes in Detroit and Minneapolis.
- HGTV has cancelled Rehab Addict after host Nicole Curtis used a racial slur during filming.
- The incident came to light after a video was posted by Radar Online on Feb. 11.
- HGTV removed the series from all its platforms, citing a commitment to respect and inclusion.
- Curtis addressed the situation on Instagram, prioritizing her family and community.
