Nicole Curtis claims that it was a “slip of the tongue” that caused her to utter a racial slur while filming her HGTV show “Rehab Addict,” and it was that incident that caused the show to be canceled.
Nicole Curtis, 49, discussed the controversy surrounding the cancellation of her HGTV show in an interview with Charlamagne tha God, DJ Envy, and Jess Hilarious of “The Breakfast Club.” This interview took place less than two months after HGTV canceled Curtis’s show, “Rehab Addict.”
The HGTV show was canceled after Curtis was seen uttering the N-word in a video clip of her show. Radar Online later released that video clip.
Curtis’ Slip of the Tongue
Nicole Curtis told “The Breakfast Club” that it was a “slip of the tongue” that caused her to utter the racial slur. She told Charlamagne tha God and his crew that she often makes random remarks using various phrases that she commonly uses. She told them that she often makes silly remarks like “fart digger” and “fart knocker.”
“Do you have boys?” Curtis asked Charlamagne tha God and his crew. “Boys talk about farts all the time. OK, I can’t swear on my show. So yes, I’ve made up these crazy words.”
She told Charlamagne tha God and his crew that she tended to create quirky expressions because of her children’s sense of humor and the way she makes her shows.
“I don’t have a rhyme or reason of the words that I make up. I say nonsense stuff all the time,” Curtis told Charlamagne tha God and his crew.
DJ Envy Doubts Curtis’ Story
Charlamagne tha God also challenged the logic of the replacement word she said she meant to use.
“Fart digger sounds like you’re playing with a**holes all day. Why?” he asked. “That’s another conversation. Why would you be digging in random asses, digging for farts?”
She explained that her tendency to talk often leads to rambling or unscripted dialogue on set.
“I’ll be editing my shows, and I’ll be like ‘F***, just finish what the f*** you’re saying!'” she said. “I go off. I’m not scripted.”
Detroit References Raise Eyebrows Too
At one point, Curtis said she and her family “live in Detroit,” which raised eyebrows with Charlamagne.
Charlamagne asked Curtis what she meant by saying she had Black friends and that she lives “in the hood.”
“What are you trying to prove here when you keep saying you’re from Detroit?” he asked.
She said she doesn’t use the N-word or the R-word and that she came on the show to talk about what had happened.
“I came here to have an open conversation, and I didn’t have to,” Curtis said. “And I’m one of those people that’s all about telling other people around me not to use that kind of language.”
HGTV Removed Rehab Addict
A rep with HGTV said in January that the network decided to pull Rehab Addict after learning about a comment she made during filming.
“We understand that language like this is hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees, and it does not align with the values of HGTV,” a spokesperson said.
“Accordingly, we have removed the series from all HGTV platforms. We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace.”
Curtis Responds After the Cancellation
Curtis also talked to TMZ just after the announcement from HGTV.
“I’m grateful for the 15-year journey we’ve shared,” Curtis said. “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,” Curtis said.
“TMZ called me as I had just turned my phone on after being at school, I said this briefly, but there is more,” Curtis said.
