Nick Carter Blamed for Brother Aaron’s Death in Stunning Docuseries
Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter tells two intertwined stories of victimization. One is about Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, who’s been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. The other about his estranged younger brother Aaron Carter, who died of a drug overdose at the age of 34 in late 2022.
In its search for an explanation for all this heartache and tragedy, ID’s four-part docuseries (May 29) points the finger in many directions, blaming their parents Jane and Robert, fan culture, Backstreet Boys mastermind Lou Perlman, and a music industry that enabled and shielded predators so long as they remained cash cows. No matter the scope of its critique, however, the real target of its ire is Nick, who’s depicted as a monster who wielded his popularity and influence to coerce underage girls into doing as he pleased—and, afterwards, to silence them.
As with more than a few recent true-crime exposés, Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter is hampered by the fact that its tale remains incomplete. At present, Nick is in the midst of litigation against three women—Melissa Schuman, Ashley Repp, and Shannon “Shay” Ruth—who’ve filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault and battery. Nick has responded with countersuits of his own, claiming that the trio have conspired to defame and vilify him. While he doesn’t participate in director Tara Malone’s docuseries, Nick’s attorneys did apparently provide documents supporting his position that will be available on ID’s website when the series premieres next week. And as he tours and makes more music, he continues to maintain his innocence. The verdict on his culpability, consequently, is still up in the air, turning this series into less of a definitive account than a #MeToo-inspired vehicle for his alleged victims to have their voices heard.