HGTV maintains a strong stance against controversial actions by its stars, as demonstrated by the recent cancellation of Nicole Curtis's long-running series, "Rehab Addict." The network moved to remove the show from all platforms following an incident where Curtis was caught using a racial slur during filming. This decision underscores HGTV's commitment to its values, even for longstanding members of its family.

The controversy intensified when a video of Curtis using the offensive language was shared via Radar Online. While the exact timing details are complex, the input suggests that a planned return for "Rehab Addict" on Wednesday, February 11, was directly impacted, with the "fate of the series officially changed" on that day. In the clip, Curtis was reportedly heard immediately catching herself and asking to "kill" the moment, but the footage still circulated online despite her efforts.

Nicole Curtis had been a fixture with "Rehab Addict" since 2010. After an extended break and a personal "setback," the series briefly returned in June 2025. Following just two episodes, Curtis decided to pause new content until the Fall, intending to recut the remaining episodes. However, this attempted comeback was ultimately "officially shattered," indicating that the show's return was short-lived and its future definitively cancelled amidst the ongoing fallout from the incident.

In response to the controversy, HGTV issued a statement to People magazine, confirming it was "recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of Rehab Addict." The network emphasized that such language is "hurtful and disappointing" and "does not align with the values of HGTV." Consequently, the series was removed from all HGTV platforms, with the network reiterating its dedication to "fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace."

For her part, Curtis released an apology to TMZ, asserting that the word in question was "wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been." She also shared a message on her personal Instagram story, noting that her "family comes first." However, her inbox was reportedly flooded with negative comments and accusations of racism. Critics suggested that Curtis's attempt to "play the victim" in her circumstances, rather than fully owning her actions and apologizing unequivocally, was a poor public relations strategy, especially given the current political climate.

Curtis is not an isolated case; other reality stars have also faced severe repercussions for controversial remarks. Jill Zarin of "The Real Housewives of New York City" and Taylor Armstrong of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" experienced swift backlash after expressing displeasure with Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, with fans and Bravo stars perceiving their comments as racist. As a result, Zarin was fired from the upcoming E! series "The Golden Life" and replaced by Dorinda Medley, despite her attempts to rectify her video. In contrast, "Home Town's" Erin Napier also faced social media controversy regarding parenting skills and personal beliefs, but HGTV did not intervene as her comments were not made on camera during filming.

This week's events highlight that reality stars are increasingly held accountable for their words and actions. Networks, including HGTV, are demonstrating a willingness to distance themselves from individuals whose conduct does not positively represent their brand, even when it involves long-standing talent. While the concept of second chances exists, some situations demand swift and immediate action to uphold network values and maintain public trust.