HGTV’s Nicole Curtis Defended By Ex After Saying Racial Slur On Digicam

HGTV alum Nicole Curtis was fired from the community and her long-running “Rehab Addict” TV collection in February 2026 after footage of her saying the N-word surfaced on-line.

Curtis apologized for her actions in an announcement and later shared a prolonged submit on Instagram, explaining that she is stuffed with “regret and remorse” over her earlier feedback.

Nicole Curtis’ ex-boyfriend, Ryan Sawtelle, who additionally appeared on earlier episodes of “Rehab Addict,” spoke out following Curtis’ firing, admitting that whereas she could be a horrible individual, she’s not “racist.”

Curtis’ firing made headlines on February 12, 2026. In a video shared on-line, Curtis seems pissed off whereas engaged on a undertaking with one other crew member. Through the scene, Curtis randomly shouts “fart n—er” earlier than asking one other manufacturing member to “kill” the second.

In an announcement to TMZHGTV claimed it was completely unaware of Curtis’ use of inappropriate language on the set of “Rehab Addict” and rushed to make issues proper by cancelling her present and pulling it from the air.

“Not solely is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, companions, and workers — it doesn’t align with the values of HGTV,” the corporate’s assertion learn.

Curtis addressed the controversy nearly immediately in an announcement to TMZ, telling the publication that the N-word is “not a part of my vocabulary and by no means has been” earlier than apologizing “to everybody.”

Whereas Curtis admitted she was unaware of the community’s determination to cancel her present, she expressed her gratitude for the years she spent on the air.

“I am grateful for the 15-year journey we have shared. It has been a significant chapter, however my focus is not on my profession. My focus, at this second is rightfully on my relationships, and my neighborhood — the individuals who really know my character and the place my coronary heart is,” she mentioned.

On Instagram, Curtis shared an excellent longer assertion, admitting she knew she had brought about “anger” and “ache.” The fact star acknowledged that she would face the warmth fairly than watch for the second to die down.

“I’ve simply been taking part in this all again and again and watching the video and having this all out collectively to say the fitting factor, do the fitting factor after doing the wrongest of wrongs,” she wrote. “I’m sorry. I’m stuffed with regret and remorse, simply as a lot as I used to be one second after that phrase was mentioned 4 years in the past in 2022.”

Curtis’ apology fell on deaf ears, nonetheless, as many replied to the “Rehab Addict” alum’s submit, blasting her for what they seen as a very inauthentic apology.

“That is how y’all discuss in personal regardless so there actually wasn’t some extent in apologizing,” one person mentioned.

“Why didn’t you apologize in 2022? You knew you mentioned it, you knew it was recorded, and but you hoped nobody would ever discover out. Your apology is late and promoting it to a tabloid is under no circumstances the identical as you utilizing that phrase,” one other shared.

“Child this is part of your each day vocabulary that onerous ER shouldn’t be what you hear in rap songs or what you hear black ppl use WITH EACH OTHER you mentioned it in harsh means and that is the way you all discuss across the dinner desk definitely!!” a 3rd posted.