A popular American television host has lost her long-running home renovation show after a video captured her using a racial slur during filming.
Nicole Curtis, known for hosting Rehab Addict on HGTV, was dismissed after the clip appeared online on February 11. The footage surfaced on the same day new episodes of Season 9 were scheduled to air.
In the video, Curtis is seen struggling with electrical wiring during a renovation project. In a moment of frustration, she uses the N-word on camera. She quickly reacts, saying, “What the f*** is that I just said?” and asks someone off-screen to “kill that” footage.
HGTV responded by removing Rehab Addict from all its platforms and ending its partnership with Curtis. In a statement, the network described the remark as offensive and said it did not align with its values. “We have removed the series from all HGTV platforms,” the company said, adding that it remains committed to respect and inclusion in both its programming and workplace culture.
Curtis later issued a public apology. She stated, “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.” She also thanked the network for 15 years and said she would shift her focus toward her family and community.
Despite the apology, public reaction has been strong. Many social media users questioned how such language could be used so casually. Some critics argued that the incident reflects deeper issues around race and accountability in media spaces.
Curtis had hosted Rehab Addict since 2010, becoming one of HGTV’s most recognized personalities. Season 9 had returned in June 2025 but paused after two episodes. The remaining episodes were due to air the day the video emerged.
The case has sparked wider discussion beyond the United States about race, responsibility, and how media organizations respond when public figures use language with a painful history particularly language rooted in anti-Black racism.