Surprising Facts You Never Knew About Nicole Curtis and Her HGTV Fame
Creating your dream home is easier than ever today. You can find ideas from books, home décor blogs, Pinterest boards, Google searches, interior design shows, and even popular renovation TV series. One of the most famous home renovation experts on TV is Nicole Curtis, the star of HGTV’s hit show Rehab Addict. She is known for her passion for home restoration and real estate. But how much do you really know about her journey?
A real estate agent
Nicole Curtis turned her love for fixing homes into a real estate career. After finishing high school, she earned her real estate license in Minneapolis, where she started buying and restoring old homes. Her unique skills in home renovation and flipping houses caught the attention of the DIY Network. They were looking for someone with strong knowledge of home improvement and a great on-screen presence. Nicole was a perfect fit and soon landed her own TV show.
Paying the bills
Before becoming a home improvement celebrity, Nicole faced many financial struggles. She didn’t become famous until her late 30s. During her early years, she worked long hours at places like IHOP and Hooters just to survive. She lived paycheck to paycheck, showing that even successful people sometimes start from humble beginnings.
Growing up
Nicole was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved around a lot as a child, living in states like Georgia and Florida. Her family didn’t have much money, which made her resourceful. She started finding cheap or free furniture and learned how to fix it. Her creativity grew out of necessity, and it led her to build a successful home restoration business.
A new business
Even though Nicole once dreamed of becoming a lawyer, her path changed in college. Instead of working for someone else, she started her own cleaning service business to support herself. Eventually, she dropped out of college to focus on growing her company and diving full-time into DIY home renovation and interior design.
Her first home
At just 18 years old and still in college, Nicole Curtis was already living on her own. She was independent, mature, and hard-working—much more than most people her age. She used that drive to make a smart financial move: she bought her first home.
Nicole purchased a 1945 ranch-style house in Florida for only $52,000. Even though the house was in bad shape, she saw its potential. With a manageable mortgage payment of $596.42 per month, she used her DIY renovation skills to start her journey in real estate.
Making a profit
Nicole has always loved fixing up old houses. In 2012, she found a historic property in Minneapolis and bought it for just $2. That’s not a typo—two dollars!
Using a $100,000 renovation budget, the support of neighbors and volunteers, and her own hard work (often 76 hours a week), Nicole transformed the rundown house into a beautiful home. She later sold the property for $146,000, showing her talent in house flipping and property investing.
Expanding her family
Nicole’s personal life had many ups and downs. At just 20 years old, she gave birth to her first son, Ethan. While she was excited to become a mother, her situation was far from ideal. Ethan’s father, Steve Cimini, was charged with manslaughter just two months into her pregnancy and served time in prison.
Despite the tough circumstances, Nicole continued to work hard to provide for her family. Her strength and determination not only helped her succeed in the home renovation industry, but also inspired many others facing similar challenges.
Fighting for the money
Nicole Curtis has always worked hard to provide the best life for her son, Ethan. Even now, as Ethan has grown into a 20-year-old adult, Nicole continues to fight for his rights.
After Ethan’s father, Steve Cimini, was released from prison, Nicole began a legal battle to collect unpaid child support. In January 2018, a court ordered Cimini to pay $14,685.54 in back child support. However, he failed to appear in court, and now faces possible jail time for non-payment of child support.
Hiding a new addition
In 2015, Nicole found out she was pregnant with her second child. This time, she chose to keep her pregnancy private and out of the media spotlight. She told the News Observer in 2016 that she wanted something just for herself.
While filming her show, Nicole carefully asked the crew to avoid showing her belly on camera. She even used props and strategic angles to hide her pregnancy, showing her desire to protect her personal life.
Welcoming Harper
Nicole gave birth to her second son, Harper, in 2015. However, life wasn’t easy after his birth. She faced another tough situation—this time involving child custody battles with Harper’s father, Shane Maguire, her ex-boyfriend.
The couple was no longer together when Harper was born. Shane later filed a court motion claiming that Nicole was not allowing him to see his child. The custody dispute became a major topic in the media, highlighting the emotional and legal struggles many single mothers face in the U.S.
Keeping him away
During the custody hearings for her son Harper, Nicole Curtis faced serious accusations from her ex-boyfriend Shane Maguire. Shane’s lawyer claimed that Nicole was intentionally keeping the child away from his father.
Nicole’s legal team responded, saying she had a valid reason—she was still breastfeeding Harper at two years old, which required her to stay close to the child during certain phases of his development. While extended breastfeeding is common for many moms, some questioned whether this was a fair reason to limit co-parenting time.
Not a perfect life
Nicole is open about the fact that her life has been full of struggles. As a single mother for many years, she has dealt with difficult relationships with both of her children’s fathers. She was briefly married to Steve Lane, but their marriage ended in 2009. Since then, Nicole has remained single.
In a heartfelt interview with People Magazine in April 2017, she said she deeply wished for a supportive partner, sharing, “I would give anything to have a husband that loved me and supported me.”
Keeping fit
The stress from legal disputes and family drama has taken a toll on Nicole’s mental health. She has admitted to battling anxiety and panic attacks. Despite this, she has found healthy ways to cope.
Nicole spends her free time staying active in nature. She enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, and biking, which help her manage stress and stay positive. Her social media is full of uplifting photos showing her outdoor fitness lifestyle, offering inspiration to her fans.
Breaking her word
Nicole’s reputation as a home renovation expert was also tested in 2012, when she purchased a $2 home in Minneapolis. The plan was to restore and remodel the abandoned property, which was seen as a major win for the neighborhood.
At first, local residents were excited to see the property improved, especially since Nicole promised to finish the renovation within a year. However, delays and missed deadlines led to frustration. Some neighbors were disappointed, saying the home improvement project was not delivered as promised.
Taking legal action
Nicole Curtis faced legal problems when she didn’t complete the renovation of a historic property in Minneapolis, which she had bought for just $2. Even though she had promised neighbors that the house would be fully restored within a year, the building continued to fall apart over time.
Frustrated by delays and concerned about safety hazards, local residents took legal action. The case went to court, and Nicole settled with the local city council. She was ordered to pay a fine, a construction deposit, and was given five months to finish the renovation project.
Not about energy-efficiency
Nicole’s design style has also sparked some controversy. Throughout her renovation career, she has made it clear that she doesn’t focus on energy-efficient upgrades or using renewable energy materials.
She believes that modern features like plastic windows and doors don’t match the classic look of the vintage homes she works with. For Nicole, preserving antique architecture is more important than installing modern energy solutions.
A dog lover
Despite her ups and downs, Nicole Curtis remains a fan favorite with over 237,000 followers on Instagram. One big reason fans love her is because of her adorable dogs, Lucy and Max, who often appear in her social media posts and TV appearances.
Nicole has a soft spot for older dogs, much like her love for old houses. She even brings them to her television interviews, proving they’re part of her everyday life and personality.
Love for fashion
Nicole’s Instagram also shows her love for fashion and vintage style. She has a unique wardrobe filled with trendy and classic pieces. During an interview with POPSUGAR Home, she revealed that one of her most treasured items is a 1970s Oscar de la Renta gown she found in a local shop.
Her love for restoring vintage fashion matches her talent for restoring homes, making her style both timeless and elegant.
Making a donation
Nicole Curtis is not only known for her work on TV and her DIY renovation skills, but also for her long, beautiful blonde hair. Her waist-length locks have been admired by many fans over the years.
Now, Nicole plans to make a meaningful donation. She’s reportedly giving her hair to a charity that makes wigs for cancer patients. Her hope is that the hair she grew for years can bring joy and confidence to someone in need, turning beauty into compassionate giving.
A hefty net worth
Even with all the legal battles and personal challenges, Nicole’s finances remain strong. With eight successful seasons of Rehab Addict and a career built on real estate investing and home remodeling, Nicole has a net worth of $5 million.
Her popularity continues to grow, and fans are eager to see her back on screen. She remains a top name in the world of home renovation TV.
A vital component
Nicole isn’t just the star of Rehab Addict—she’s also the executive producer, lead researcher, and project planner. She selects the homes, designs the projects, and manages the team behind each episode.
Her hard work behind the scenes is what makes the show so successful. Nicole’s full control over the creative and logistical parts of the series makes her a powerhouse in home renovation entertainment.
A few mistakes
Although Nicole appears confident and skilled on TV, she’s honest about her mistakes. She once admitted to flooding an entire room and almost causing a house fire while filming. Despite the risks, she says the fun of Rehab Addict comes from the real, messy process of house flipping and restoration.
A new season
Fans had to wait over a year for Season 8 of Rehab Addict, which finally aired in October 2017 but ended just a month later. The season was nearly canceled due to Nicole’s court battle over child custody, which almost paused her entire career.
Fortunately, the season aired as planned. However, there is still no official news about Rehab Addict Season 9. Fans remain hopeful.
Nicole the author
Besides renovating homes, Nicole is also a published author. Her first book, Better Than New: Lessons I’ve Learned from Saving Old Homes (and How They Saved Me) was released in 2016. The second, Settling the Dust: Lessons Learnt from the 2015 Esperance Fires, followed in 2017.
These books share personal stories and lessons about home restoration, life challenges, and inner strength, showing that Nicole is just as talented with words as she is with tools.
Master at her craft
Nicole Curtis isn’t just a skilled home renovator—she’s also a published author. Her ability to write books about her renovation journey proves that she truly is a master at her craft. While her popular show Rehab Addict teaches viewers how to restore old homes, her books offer deeper insights and personal stories.
When someone has enough experience to fill a book, it means they have valuable lessons to share. Nicole’s books are an excellent resource for anyone interested in DIY home improvement and interior restoration.
Restraining order
While Nicole was dealing with a custody battle with her ex-boyfriend Shane Maguire over their son Harper, she was also facing another serious family issue—her estrangement from her mother, Joan Curtis.
The conflict between Nicole and her mother became so serious that Joan filed a restraining order against her daughter. This shocking legal action showed just how damaged their relationship had become.
Truly necessary?
Many fans were surprised by the restraining order. Some questioned whether the situation was truly so bad that legal intervention was needed. Couldn’t the mother and daughter simply go their separate ways?
But according to court documents, Joan believed that the restraining order was completely necessary. The emotional strain she felt from Nicole’s behavior, including frequent yelling and hostility, pushed her to seek legal protection.
Total distress
Joan told the court that Nicole had not only caused her stress but had also threatened her. One major incident occurred in a Florida hospital, where Joan claimed Nicole yelled at her in front of her dying grandmother.
Joan also said that Nicole had been sending aggressive emails and harassing phone calls, which made her feel unsafe. This family drama added another layer to the personal challenges Nicole was facing during this period.
Hospital drama
Nicole Curtis’s strained relationship with her mother, Joan Curtis, took a darker turn when Joan claimed she had been threatened by Nicole in a Florida hospital. The alleged confrontation happened in front of Nicole’s dying grandmother, making the situation even more emotional.
Joan also told the court that Nicole had been sending harsh emails and making threatening phone calls. These actions made Joan feel unsafe and pushed her to seek a restraining order for emotional harassment.
Charges dismissed
In court, Joan described Nicole as a “control freak” and said her daughter constantly told her she was a bad mother and even claimed to hate her. These words hurt deeply, leading Joan to pursue legal protection.
However, the judge found insufficient evidence to support the claims and dismissed the restraining order request. It was a painful chapter in their family story, highlighting how toxic relationships can impact even the closest bonds.
The real Nicole?
Trying to understand someone—especially a celebrity—is never easy. Public figures often live double lives: the polished version we see on screen, and the complex, private person behind the scenes.
Nicole Curtis appears confident and strong on her show Rehab Addict, but her real life includes moments of conflict, legal battles, and family struggles. These contrasting sides raise questions about celebrity authenticity vs. reality.
Hostile relationships
From waitressing jobs at IHOP and Hooters to leading one of the top renovation shows on TV, Nicole’s life journey has been filled with both success and serious challenges. Her past includes custody fights, legal disputes, and family estrangement.
She’s made mistakes, faced tough criticism, and had moments that pushed her to the edge. But through it all, she’s remained in the spotlight—possibly because people see something real in her.
Double lives
While Nicole may not be perfect, that’s what makes her relatable. Her flaws, challenges, and honest emotions remind us that everyone faces hardships—even celebrities. That raw authenticity is likely why fans keep watching her show and following her story.
Just because someone has a public role doesn’t mean we fully understand them. Before judging, it’s important to remember: we don’t know someone’s journey until we’ve walked a mile in their shoes.
In her boots
At the end of the day, no one can fake it forever—and that’s exactly why Nicole Curtis’s TV show does so well. Her real success comes from her authentic personality and the honest way she shares both her strengths and struggles.
Just because someone isn’t perfect doesn’t mean they aren’t inspiring. In fact, it’s often their flaws and challenges that make them more relatable and human. Nicole’s imperfections don’t take away from her value—they make her stronger in the eyes of her audience.
We all face tough times, and that’s why it’s important not to judge anyone too quickly. Before making assumptions, we should remember the old saying: “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their boots.”
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