Ex-HGTV Star Nicole Curtis Offers Odd Explanation for Racial Slur That Led to ‘Rehab Addict’ Cancellation

Former HGTV star Nicole Curtis has blamed her use of a racial slur that got her show "Rehab Addict" canceled on being a boy mom.

Curtis' show "Rehab Addict" was abruptly canceled after she was accused of making "an offensive racial comment" during filming of the series.

A shocking clip of Curtis, 49, using the racial slur was revealed by Radar Online on Feb. 11—the same day that the latest episodes of "Rehab Addict" were set to air on the home improvement network.

Now, the former HGTV star has offered up an odd explanation for using the racial slur, after previously claiming that "someone personal" demanded she pay them or they would leak the footage of her using the slur.

While appearing on "The Breakfast Club," Curtis insisted she meant to say "fart digger" and "fart knocker."

Curtis explained that she is not permitted to "swear on [her] show," noting, "I've made up these crazy words. Do you have boys? Boys talk about farts all the time."

She alleged, "I don’t have a rhyme or reason of the words that I make up. I say nonsense stuff all the time. I’m off the cuff. I’m not scripted.”

However, her explanation caused hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne tha God, to raise their eyebrows as they doubted her and claimed the slur came out of her mouth very "naturally."

Charlamagne, 47, then questioned why the former HGTV star was "digging for farts" and asked why Curtis continued to point out that she lives in Detroit.

“So your best friends are Black and you live in the hood? What are you trying to prove here when you keep saying you’re from Detroit? … I’m trying to figure out what you are trying to say," Charlamagne asked.

He then criticized Curtis for "coming to a Black radio show and trying to explain” the shocking incident.

Curtis, who claimed she isn't "afraid of confrontation," responded, “You’re right. I came here to have an open conversation and I didn’t have to. … I didn’t come on here to prove myself.”

Charlamagne then asked Curtis to "apologize to Black people."

Curtis told listeners she does "not condone" the slur, adding that they should not use her as a "poster child for some bulls--t."

In the video, Curtis is seen using the racial slur, then quickly asking producers to "kill" the clip. It's unclear when exactly the comment was filmed.

After HGTV released a statement that it was removing any connection between the network and Curtis, the former TV star took to Instagram to explain how the footage was released to the public—while clarifying that it wasn't her crew.

“I was not contracted to any network or show. (think free agent in sports) Any crew hired, paid by me, The footage is mine. My crew didn’t steal my footage. I don’t have ‘sets’. I own all my properties. In other words, no one is my ‘boss’, I’m the boss. I create product & sell the rights of it & my likeness for limited contracted use.

“Someone personal (not crew) had access, demanded [money], I didn’t pay-here we are," Curtis said on social media.

Following the release of the footage, HGTV immediately issued a statement regarding the incident, confirming that it has canceled "Rehab Addict" permanently—and removed all previously aired episodes from its partner streaming platforms, HBO Max and Disney+.

"HGTV was recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of 'Rehab Addict,'" the statement began. "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."

Following the release of the video, Curtis issued an apology, insisting that the racial slur is "not part of" her "vocabulary."

"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 told TMZ.

"I'm grateful for the 15-year journey we've shared," she continued. "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."

The former HGTV star then shared her text messages with someone from the outlet on her Instagram, noting, "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."

Realtor.com® has reached out to Curtis for comment.

The news of HGTV cutting ties with Curtis came just days after she left fans stunned when she announced her hit series would be returning months ahead of schedule—revealing that the new season would debut Feb. 11, after the home renovation network told her it was "now or never."

Curtis initially revealed the sudden return of "Rehab Addict" in a Feb. 8 Instagram post, explaining to fans that the revival of the series came as something of a shock to her.

"Straight from Detroit—the new episodes drop Wednesday … was told now or never—so you get them now," she wrote. "And can you do me a huge show of support by sharing this. Sending it to friends, tag a friend, a stranger."

Days later, Curtis and HGTV released a trailer for the new episode of the series on social media, while revealing that the latest installment of "Rehab Addict" would air at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. ET, a drastic change from the 9 p.m. prime-time slot it enjoyed during its last run over the summer.

Curtis abruptly ended the show's ninth season in July 2025 with just two episodes aired, announcing at the time that she'd made the "executive decision" to recut the other installments.

Curtis previously opened up about the "devastating" decision to step back from her filming obligations to focus on her personal well-being, explaining to People how she slowly found her way back to her love of home projects.

Curtis, who hails from Detroit, did not reveal details about the "setback" that led to her disappearance from screens. However, she did lay bare the ways in which she went about getting her life back on track—a journey that she credited to her faith and her newfound fondness for travel.

Curtis—who shares children Ethan, whom she welcomed in 1997, with ex Steven Cimini, and Harper, born in 2015, whom she shares with ex Shane Maguire—noted that this season would not see her children partaking, revealing that she was going to keep much of her life private going forward.

"Rehab Addict" premiered in 2010.