HGTV's Nicole Curtis exposes alleged extortion over racial slur video
The designer asserted that none of her crew released the footage of her using the n-word
Nicole Curtis, the previous HGTV personality known for Rehab Addict, which was cancelled after a video emerged of her saying a racial slur, is now alleging extortion.
The designer explained in a recent social media post that it was not someone from her team who leaked the footage of her using the n-word during filming, but rather someone close to her.
“I was not contracted to any network or show. (think free agent in sports) Any crew hired, paid by me, The footage is mine. My crew didn’t steal my footage,” Curtis said on Instagram. “I don’t have ‘sets’. I own all my properties. In other words, no one is my ‘boss’, I’m the boss. I create product & sell the rights of it & my likeness for limited contracted use.”
She added, “Someone personal (not crew) had access, demanded [money], I didn’t pay—here we are.”
Rehab Addict was scheduled to come back to HGTV on February 11, but the network decided not to air the new season after Curtis's video went viral where she used the n-word.
“HGTV was recently informed of a concerning racial comment used during the filming of Rehab Addict. This kind of language is both offensive and upsetting for our viewers, partners, and staff—it doesn't represent HGTV's values,” the network stated in a message.
The renovation show was subsequently taken off the HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services.
Days following the incident, Curtis expressed regret for using the racial slur, stating the footage “was unlawfully taken, altered, edited, and sold to a tabloid to coincide with my planned return to TV, only to create this turmoil of hate, anger, disappointment.”