Former ‘Rehab Addict’ Host Nicole Curtis Says ‘Someone Personal’ Demanded Money to Not Release Racial Slur Video: ‘I Didn’t Pay – Here We Are’

Nicole Curtis, the former host of HGTV's "Rehab Addict," has claimed on Instagram that she was the target of an extortion attempt by “someone personal” who demanded money to prevent the release of a video in which she used a racial slur. Curtis stated that she did not pay the extortionist, leading to the video being leaked. The clip, which surfaced online, showed her using the N-word while filming her renovation show, prompting HGTV to cancel "Rehab Addict" and remove the series from streaming platforms HBO Max and Discovery+. In response to the backlash, Curtis issued an apology for her use of the racial slur, describing the footage as “stolen and manipulated” to create “chaos of hate.” She emphasized that the video was not leaked by anyone from her crew. The incident has led to significant repercussions for Curtis, as HGTV was made aware of the offensive comment and subsequently decided to cancel the show, which had been set to return with new episodes. The cancellation of "Rehab Addict" marks a significant shift for Curtis, who has been a prominent figure in home renovation television. The network's decision reflects the seriousness with which it addresses issues of racism and offensive language, aligning with broader societal expectations regarding accountability and sensitivity in media representation.