Fans have lots to say one day after HGTV confirmed it canceled and pulled all episodes of “Rehab Addict,” cutting ties with host Nicole Curtis over a behind-the-scenes video that surfaced in which she uttered a racial slur while filming.
The video, first published by Radar Online on February 11, 2026, quickly resulted in HGTV telling the outlet Curtis had been fired, pulling the two new episodes that were scheduled to premiere that day and yanking the show from “all streaming platforms.” Curtis quickly issued an apology via TMZ and in her Instagram Stories, saying that “the word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary.”
Fans Erupt Online Over Behind-the-Scenes Video of Nicole Curtis
The video obtained by Radar Online is of Curtis filming her latest season of “Rehab Addict,” a show that debuted in 2010, chronicling her restoration of delapidated homes in Detroit, Minneapolis, and — most recently — a house in Wyoming, where the incident occurred.
While she struggles with a wire, Curtis says the N-word in frustration and immediately realizes what she said, asking the film crew to “kill” the recording. When someone in the background refuses, Curtis mutters, “[expletive] my life.”
Since news broke about the video and her firing, Curtis has blocked comments on her most recent Instagram posts. But many fans have expressed their anger and disappointment elsewhere online, including on her Facebook post announcing that two new episodes would be airing on February 11.
One wrote, “BYE FELICIA! I DON’T THINK ANYTHING WILL BE AIRING ANYTIME SOON” and another commented, “HGTV isn’t going to air them anymore because they don’t want to be associated with someone who drops the N-bomb. Congrats on the career suicide.”
“Wanted to watch,” another fan wrote. “Always loved your shows. Then I saw you so easily use the N word then ask to edit it out to avoid accountability. The fact that it was said in that moment so easily shows it’s a word you use regularly. I am disgusted!”
Reddit exploded with multiple threads featuring hundreds of reactions to the video, including one from someone who wrote, “Holy [expletive] that is disappointing. I am someone who makes very bizarre exclamations when I’m shocked, in pain, frustrated, etc. I mean… I say some weird nonsense. No clue where the words come from. People typically laugh. But that word is not one. Ever. It’s just not in my ‘mental word library’ to choose from. The fact that it came out of her mouth without thought makes me think that the word is common enough to her to spit it out thoughtlessly.”
Some Fans Defended Nicole Curtis After Her Apology
In a since-deleted Instagram apology, Curtis wrote, “There is more to this, but my family comes first and I need to be mom right now more than anything else. 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.”
She posted what she texted to TMZ, which was, “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.”
Curtis also noted, ” “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.”
After posting her texted apology in her Instagram Stories, Curtis also began posting screenshots of direct messages, revealing people who lashed out at her over the racial slur.
The mom of two did receive support from some fans who defended her on Facebook, including someone who declared that she’s “still awesome” and another who wrote, “Still love ya Nicole Curtis even though HGTV dropped ya! Hope to see you on a new network soon or even on YouTube!”
HGTV, meanwhile, told multiple outlets, including People, that it 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. We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
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Fans React to Cancellation of HGTV’s ‘Rehab Addict’ Over Shocking Video of Nicole Curtis