Former HGTV personality Nicole Curtis has made startling allegations of a blackmail attempt connected to a video that captured her using a racial slur, an incident that ultimately resulted in the cancellation of her long-running television series Rehab Addict. The controversy erupted when footage of Curtis uttering the offensive term was published online, coinciding with the scheduled return of her show to the network.
The Viral Video and Immediate Fallout
The video, which surfaced on Radar Online in February 2026, shows Curtis, 49, exclaiming the racial slur in a moment of apparent frustration during filming. She immediately expressed regret, asking her crew to "kill" the footage. However, the clip rapidly gained traction, amassing thousands of views and prompting swift action from HGTV.
In response, the network issued a firm statement, declaring the language "hurtful and disappointing" and inconsistent with its values. Consequently, HGTV removed Rehab Addict from all its platforms, effectively canceling the series that had debuted in 2010 and recently returned for a ninth season after a three-year hiatus.
Curtis's Blackmail Allegations
In a detailed Instagram post shared recently, Curtis claimed that the footage was accessed by someone close to her who then demanded money to prevent its release. "Someone personal had access, demanded $, I didn't pay – here we are," she wrote, emphasizing that the video was her property, as she owned the footage and properties featured on the show.
Curtis reiterated that the clip had been "stolen and then manipulated," suggesting it was edited to coincide with her television comeback to generate controversy. She turned off comments on her post, urging followers to focus on human connection rather than online discord.
Apologies and Career Impact
Following the cancellation, Curtis issued multiple apologies, acknowledging the wrongfulness of her words. "The word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been," she stated in one message, expressing remorse for the incident that occurred four years prior.
Despite the setback, Curtis indicated she remains committed to her renovation work, noting she was on a job site in Detroit and would continue her projects independently, as she has always done. The mother of two emphasized that her focus is now on her relationships and community, rather than her television career.
The incident highlights the severe repercussions of offensive language in the media industry and raises questions about privacy and extortion in the digital age. Curtis's allegations of blackmail add a complex layer to a story that has captivated audiences and sparked discussions about accountability and redemption.
