“Rehab Addict” star Nicole Curtis shared an interaction she had with late actress Catherine O’Hara that stuck with her over the years. The HGTV host revealed the details of their meeting in a heartfelt tribute to O’Hara.
Nicole Curtis Recalls Meeting Catherine O’Hara
On January 30, following the news of O’Hara’s death at age 71, Curtis took to Instagram to pay tribute in a touching post.
“In 2016, I was in NYC finishing edits on season five. My life had been put through a shredder,” Curtis wrote in the caption. “I decided to take a breather — walking the streets with my beautiful baby tucked into his sling — just trying to keep my mind from spiraling in the wrong direction.”
She continued, “I remember the next moment as clearly as I remember posting this right now. A woman gently touched my arm, apologized for stopping me, and said, ‘I love your work.’ I looked at her in a daze. She was radiant. Honestly, breathtaking in person.”
“I can’t fully explain how close to the edge I was at that moment,” the HGTV star recalled. “But her face, her gesture, her words — her love and her grace — reminded me that I mattered. That I had value.”
Curtis noted, “The true epiphany: the power of women lifting up women. I remember trying to gather myself to speak more, but she was gone that fast. Imagine this amazing woman apologizing for stopping me.”
“I never had the blessing of meeting her, again. I thought for sure our [paths] would cross eventually, sadly they did not,” she shared. “I survived and everyday I remember that moment and do my best to pass it on.”
Curtis added, “Sometimes your smile is the one the thing that someone else needs more than anything. Godspeed❤️❤️❤️.”
The moment lifted the HGTV star up. “Her kindness gave me my fight back,” she noted. “I will be forever grateful❤️.”
Fans Share Their Love for Curtis’ Story
Curtis’ fans lit up the comments section, sharing their love for the HGTV star’s story about the late actress.
“That is such a beautiful moment and memory, and I’m literally in tears over here 😢,” one fan wrote.
Curtis responded, “I’m ugly crying on a plane.”
Another fan noted, “You are so blessed to have met her! A moment of serendipity. 😢 I was so, so sad to hear of her passing. My first words were ‘Noooo … ‘ She was pure delight.”
“What a beautiful story! As one of your fans from the beginning, I am so happy for you that this happened,” another fan commented. “Catherine O’Hara was soooooo beautiful and talented! This story means a lot!”
“Incredible. What a blessing to have this encounter and validation at the same time,” one of Curtis’ followers wrote. “She’s an incredible human being, so talented.”
“Thank you for sharing ❤️All it takes is one person, one smile etc. What a wonderful memory to have and hold on to,” another fan commented.
HCTV not hGtv.
Radiantly beautiful, immensely talented, she will be missed. A light has gone out in the world. She was so hilariously funny on Second City TV. John Candy, Joe Flaherty and now Catherine O’Hara. Some people are irreplaceable.