HGTV pulls ‘Rehab Addict’ after Nicole Curtis caught using racial slur on set

HGTV has cancelled Rehab Addict after an on-set video emerged showing its star Nicole Curtis using a racial slur during filming, prompting the network to remove the long-running show from all platforms.

The footage, which circulated online on Wednesday, appeared the same day the renovation series was due to return with new episodes, abruptly halting what had been billed as a comeback for the programme.

Network acts swiftly after video surfaces

In a statement to PEOPLE, HGTV said it had been “recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of Rehab Addict”.

“Language like this is hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners and employees and does not align with the values of HGTV,” the network said. “Accordingly, we have removed the series from all HGTV platforms.”

The spokesperson added that the network remains committed to “fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace”.

Clip emerged on day of planned return

The video, first published by Radar Online, shows Curtis realising what she had said moments after using the slur and asking for the moment to be removed. Despite that request, the clip later circulated publicly, triggering backlash online.

The timing proved especially damaging, as new episodes of Rehab Addict were scheduled to air later that day following months of uncertainty about the show’s future.

Curtis apologises and shifts focus away from career

Curtis later apologised in a statement to TMZ, saying the word used was “wrong” and not part of her vocabulary.

“I apologise to everyone,” she said, adding that her focus was no longer on her career but on her family and community.

She later shared screenshots of her message to TMZ on Instagram Stories, saying there was “more to this” but that her family came first.

A troubled chapter for the long-running series

Rehab Addict premiered in 2010 and followed Curtis as she restored historic homes threatened with demolition. After a lengthy hiatus, the series returned to HGTV in June 2025 for a new season.

Only two episodes aired before Curtis announced she had decided to shelve the remaining instalments. She later said the season had been recut following discussions with the network, fuelling speculation about the show’s status.

An Instagram post earlier this month had confirmed new episodes would air on February 11. That return has now been cut short.