HGTV Cancels ‘Rehab Addict’ After Leaked Nicole Curtis Video Sparks Backlash

The restoration of historic homes requires a sturdy foundation, but it turns out the reputation of its star was built on literal quicksand. In a move that shocked the DIY world but perhaps surprised no one following the breadcrumbs of reality TV drama, HGTV has officially canceled Rehab Addict. After over a decade of watching Nicole Curtis save crumbling mansions from the wrecking ball, the network decided that some things, specifically a brand associated with a leaked racial slur, simply aren't worth the renovation.

The Leaked Clip That Toppled the Ladder

The news broke on February 11th, when a bombshell video surfaced via Radar Online. In the unaired production footage, Curtis is seen perched atop a ladder, struggling with a renovation task, before letting fly the N-word in a moment of frustration. While Curtis was caught on camera immediately asking producers to "kill" the clip, the internet is forever.

HGTV didn't hesitate. Within hours, the network scrubbed all nine seasons of Rehab Addict from its digital library. The show has been effectively erased from the streaming landscape.

A History of Turbulence

For those of us at The TV Cave who have tracked the show’s rocky trajectory, the writing has been on the drywall for a while. Season 9 was already a mess, suffering through a three-year hiatus and a bizarre mid-season "executive decision" by Curtis to pull episodes for re-cutting.

Curtis has long been the "tough-as-nails" protagonist of the preservation world, but her off-screen legal battles and social media feuds often overshadowed her carpentry skills. This time, however, there’s no amount of reclaimed wood or vintage hardware that can fix the optics. HGTV’s statement was uncharacteristically blunt, labeling the language "hurtful and disappointing" and asserting that it had no place on their roster of feel-good programming. Full statement below.

“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. 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.”

The Aftermath for Nicole Curtis

In a post-cancellation apology issued via Instagram, Curtis claimed the word was "not part of her vocabulary," a defense that rings a bit hollow when the video evidence says otherwise. While she expressed gratitude for her 15-year run, she’s shifted her narrative to focusing on "community and relationships."

In a statement provided to The Detroit News, Curtis’ team said she is “deeply saddened by the hurt her words have caused” and that she takes “full responsibility for their impact, regardless of context.” The statement described the incident as a “clear slip of the tongue” made after 17 hours of physically demanding work and little sleep, but acknowledged that intent does not erase impact. Curtis, the statement added, is “truly sorry.”

For fans of historic preservation, it’s a disappointing end to a show that genuinely highlighted the importance of architectural heritage. But in the real world, being a "Rehab Addict" doesn't give you a pass for toxic behavior. The house is officially condemned.

Would you like to see Nicole Curtis attempt a comeback on an independent platform, or is the HGTV era of home renovation better off without her?