Ex Of HGTV's Nicole Curtis Defends Her After Video Shows Her Shouting Racial Slur On Camera

HGTV alum Nicole Curtis was fired from the network and her long-running "Rehab Addict" TV series in February 2026 after footage of her saying the N-word surfaced online.

Curtis apologized for her actions in a statement and later shared a lengthy post on Instagram, explaining that she is full of "remorse and regret" over her previous comments.

Nicole Curtis' ex-boyfriend, Ryan Sawtelle, who also appeared on previous episodes of "Rehab Addict," spoke out following Curtis' firing, admitting that while she might be a terrible person, she's not "racist."

Curtis' firing made headlines on February 12, 2026. In a video shared online, Curtis appears frustrated while working on a project with another crew member. During the scene, Curtis randomly shouts "fart n---er" before asking another production member to "kill" the moment.

In a statement to TMZ, HGTV claimed it was totally unaware of Curtis' use of inappropriate language on the set of "Rehab Addict" and rushed to make things right by cancelling her show and pulling it from the air.

"Not only is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees -- it does not align with the values of HGTV," the company's statement read.

Curtis addressed the controversy almost instantly in a statement to TMZ, telling the publication that the N-word is "not part of my vocabulary and never has been" before apologizing "to everyone."

While Curtis admitted she was unaware of the network's decision to cancel her show, she expressed her gratitude for the years she spent on the air.

"I'm grateful for the 15-year journey we've shared. 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," she said.

On Instagram, Curtis shared an even longer statement, admitting she knew she had caused "anger" and "pain." The reality star stated that she would face the heat rather than wait for the moment to die down.

"I've just been playing this all over and over again and watching the video and having this all out together to say the right thing, do the right thing after doing the wrongest of wrongs," she wrote. "I am sorry. I am filled with remorse and regret, just as much as I was one second after that word was said 4 years ago in 2022."

Curtis' apology fell on deaf ears, however, as many replied to the "Rehab Addict" alum's post, blasting her for what they viewed as a completely inauthentic apology.

"This is how y’all talk in private regardless so there really wasn’t a point in apologizing," one user said.

"Why didn’t you apologize in 2022? You knew you said it, you knew it was recorded, and yet you hoped no one would ever find out. Your apology is late and selling it to a tabloid is not at all the same as you using that word," another shared.

"Baby this is a part of your daily vocabulary that hard ER is not what you hear in rap songs or what you hear black ppl use WITH EACH OTHER you said it in harsh way and this is how you all talk around the dinner table without a doubt!!" a third posted.

Curtis' words have continued to make the rounds, prompting her ex-boyfriend, Sawtelle, to offer another perspective. Speaking with TMZ, Sawtelle said that while Curtis "treats others on the show like garbage," the reality star is not racist.

"As much as I dislike her, and it may be validating to see her get in trouble, she is unequivocally not a racist. Nor has she ever said anything racially insensitive over the years we dated, and I have known her," he said.

Sawtelle added that Curtis often combined words together during her time on the show, calling the moment completely "unexpected."

And for those wondering whether Sawtelle's words carry any truth. He added, "Due to the fact I’d rather run a marathon barefoot on LEGOs than speak to her again, I do not care what anyone really believes. I am just telling you the truth. The bottom line here is that videos like this are not leaked to damage ‘good’ people."