While having a tough time with a tool on set during filming of the home renovation show Rehab Addict, the host, Nicole Curtis, was recorded by the crew letting slip the N-word. She turned to the crew, shocked at what she had said, and begged them to delete it. However, someone felt it necessary to let it loose, and the footage quickly cropped up online, sparking outrage,
As a result of her racial slur slip, Curtis was dropped from the show immediately. Furthermore, the show has been canceled after its 15-year run, and every episode has been pulled from streaming platforms Discovery+ and HBO Max. HGTV has removed all traces of the show featuring host Curtis to minimize backlash after the use of such foul language.
The show was pulled from streaming platforms and canceled the same day new episodes of Rehab Addict were due to air. HGTV is ensuring they no longer have any connection to Curtis, deplatforming her as quickly as possible. In a statement shared with Deadline, HGTV stated, “Not only is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees – it does not align with the values of HGTV.”
It was shocking for many to hear a racial slur slip from the mouth of a well-known TV show host. For most, the word isn’t even in their vocabulary, frustrated or not. In a message to TMZ, Curtis explained that she made a mistake and promised that the word, typically, isn’t one that she would use.
“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.”
However, it is too late for the home improvements host, and the cat is out of the bag. Her slip-up cost her her career and will impact any work she may have in the future. The industry doesn’t look kindly on racially inappropriate language. However, it appears that Curtis is taking it as a sign that she needs to focus elsewhere in her life.
In her messages to TMZ after the event, she explained that she was grateful to HGTV for all the time they spent working together, but now it was time for her to focus on family and things that mean more to her than TV.
“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.”
A racist slip-up like this is often the end of many careers. However, it appears that after 15 years of Rehab Addict, Nicole Curtis was ready to call it a day anyway.