Disgraced Former HGTV Star Went on ‘Breakfast Club’ To Explain Herself

I write about a lot of “hot” topics on this here site. Sometimes, I’m just here to get coverage of things so eyes stay on this page and we can fund the wonderful think pieces and reviews from within these walls. Sometimes, I’ll feel passionate enough about a story or have a connection to it. Other times, I’m just trying to trend like everybody else so I can help keep the lights on. Because of that, I will often forget stories that I’ve covered. That was certainly the case with Nicole Curtis.

Curtis had an HGTV show for over a decade, which she lost by saying one of the most… confounding slurs I have ever heard. She combined the word fart with the n-word, a video of her doing so leaked, and she lost her show (and, presumably, her career). Devastating? Absolutely! But people would have moved on and forgotten. Clearly, she has her fans, or she wouldn’t have been on TV for so long, but I certainly forgot. The world would have moved on. Instead, Curtis is trying to explain herself.

I don’t know if there is a perfect formula for public apologies. Sitting and talking directly into a camera, maybe while playing a ukulele, has proven mostly ineffective. Trying to go on news shows also often feels impersonal, as does agreeing to a private interview of some sort. It’s just always messy, especially when you do something that you can’t just “sorry” away, like use a racial slur that seems like it’s part of your regular vocabulary.

But that’s just what Curtis did, as she recently made a trip to The Breakfast Club, a radio talk show hosted by DJ Envy, Charlamagne tha God, Jess Hilarious, and Loren LoRosa. It is as described by one of the hosts, a “black radio show.” She went on there, trying to explain why she said what she said, noting that she often says “fart knocker” and “fart digger,” because she is a mom to boys. If that explanation sounds weak as hell to you, you are not alone!

The hosts are much nicer and understanding toward Curtis than she deserves. They’re trying to be polite, at least, while still making it clear that they don’t buy what she’s selling. I’m no fan of Charlamagne, who has made a habit out of showing his whole ass over the years (and even in this clip), but he does not let up on how Curtis’ explanations feel like nonsense. He also calls out that she continually brings up that she lives in Detroit and has black friends as proof that she is not racist.

As part of Charlamagne showing his ass, he cops to not knowing what Curtis means when she brings up the “r-word” and, upon learning what she means, uses it to describe her appearance on the show. So, if you do not want to hear certain language (because this also starts with them airing the clip that got her in trouble to begin with), which I understand, don’t watch the video. If you want to see someone go through some self-inflicted awkwardness that could have been avoided if she had just put out a statement and stayed out of the public eye for a while, have at it.