Topic / Subject
After leaked footage surfaced showing Nicole Curtis using a racial slur, HGTV canceled and pulled “Rehab Addict,” and Curtis issued a public apology.

TL;DR
HGTV moved fast to distance itself after the clip went viral, while Curtis apologized and also claimed the footage was leaked to sabotage her.

Key Details

• A video surfaced showing Nicole Curtis using a racial slur during filming, per reporting.
• HGTV canceled “Rehab Addict” and removed the series from its platforms following backlash.
• HGTV said in a statement the language was “hurtful and disappointing” and didn’t align with the network’s values, per PEOPLE.
• Curtis apologized publicly, saying the word is wrong and not part of her vocabulary, per TMZ/coverage.
• Curtis has claimed someone “personal” to her demanded money and leaked the footage after she refused, but that claim is not independently proven in the reporting.

Breakdown
This is the modern network playbook: a clip blows up, the brand risk spikes, and the channel hits the eject button as fast as possible.

HGTV’s decision to cancel and pull the show is a loud statement — not just “we don’t condone this,” but “we’re removing the product from our shelves.” That’s a bigger move than a simple apology cycle.

Curtis’s response has two tracks: acknowledging the harm (apology) while arguing the leak was part of a personal sabotage attempt. That second part may be true, may be complicated, or may be disputed — but based on what’s public, it’s not verified.

What to Watch Next

• Whether HGTV/Warner Bros. Discovery offers any additional detail beyond the initial statement.
• Any legal action or formal complaint connected to Curtis’s leak/extortion claim (if it becomes public).
• Whether other partners (sponsors/platforms) publicly distance themselves as well.

Sources
Deadline — “HGTV Cancels ‘Rehab Addict’ After Star Nicole Curtis Used Racial Slur…”
PEOPLE — “‘Rehab Addict’ Canceled After Nicole Curtis Used Racial Slur While Filming”
TMZ — report (headline not provided)

Comment
Should networks pull shows immediately after a viral clip, or wait for more context before making the call?