The Backstreet Boys – which includes Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, and Howie Dorough – filmed a holiday special that was set to air on ABC on Wednesday, December 14th. Unfortunately, those plans were terminated when ABC pulled the holiday special from its schedule.
Titled a Very Backstreet Holiday, the special featured Seth Rogen, Meghan Trainor, Rob Riggle, Nikki Glaser, Ron Funches, and Atsuko Okatsuka – alongside The Backstreet Boys, of course. The boy band was performing songs from their newest and 10th studio album titled A Very Backstreet Christmas.
ABC’s decision comes amid disturbing rape allegations being made against Nick Carter from an incident that supposedly occurred in 2001. The accuser, Shannon ‘Shay’ Ruth, was 17 years old at the time (Nick was 21 years old) and was approached by Nick after one of his concerts – inviting her to his tour bus.
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The allegations are finally being made public after Ruth filed a sexual battery lawsuit against Nick Carter on December 8th. In the lawsuit, she claims Carter sexually assaulted her, raped her, and infected her with HPV before threatening her to stay silent. It occurred after a concert in Tacoma, Washington in 2001.
Ruth, who was 17 at the time and 39 now, identifies as autistic and has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She spoke in detail about her allegations at the Los Angeles Beverly Hilton hotel, adding that she begged Carter to stop, but he told her no one would believe her if she told anyone about the incident.
In a statement issued last week, Carter’s lawyer Michael Holtz denied the allegations on his client’s behalf. “This claim about an incident that supposedly took place more than 20 years ago is not only legally meritless but also entirely untrue,” said Holtz, before accusing her of being manipulated.
“Unfortunately, for several years now, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations about Nick – and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time. No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer – there is nothing to this claim whatsoever,” he added.
Nick Carter Performs With Group at iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
Despite the rape allegations resulting in ABC pulling the Backstreet Boys’ holiday special, the group continues to perform in shows across the country – Nick Carter included. Their latest performance was at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City on December 9th – the day after the special was pulled.
The concert happened in Madison Square Garden, where the five men wore matching all-white ensembles and performed some of their greatest hits – as well as Last Christmas (originally by Wham!). Dua Lipa, Dove Cameron, Demi Lovato, Lizzo, Charlie Puth, Ava Max, and others also performed.
The rape allegations aren’t the first for Nick Carter. In 2018, the 42-year-old was accused of raping Melissa Schuman nearly two decades ago. Carter denied the allegations and wasn’t charged with any crime – the District Attorney declined the case shortly after due to the statutes of limitations expiring.
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Carter’s lawyer is confident that the courts will see right through the new rape allegations, adding they have “no doubts the courts will quickly realize” that this is nothing more than a press stunt by a hungry lawyer looking to take advantage of a disabled individual. More information will be released soon.
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