Nick Carter is still processing the loss of his brother Aaron Carter.
The Backstreet Boys member—who was accused of sexual assault for the fourth time in a recent legal filing, though his lawyers deny the claim—unpacked the 2022 day he learned his late brother died after an accidental drowning.
“I’ll never forget, you know, being in London at the time when it happened and getting the text message,” Nick recalled in Paramount+’s The Carters: Hurts To Love You, which debuted April 15. “It’s still unbelievable to this day.”
Nick—who has also lost sisters Leslie Carter and Bobbie Jean Carter to drug overdoses in 2012 and 2023 respectively—reflected on the painful memory alongside his surviving sister Angel Carter Conrad, adding, “I haven’t even had the chance to grieve.”
Elsewhere in the documentary, the Carter siblings discuss breaking the “generational cycle” instilled upon them by their parents Bob Carter—who died in 2017—and Jane Schneck.
“Our parents don’t define us,” Nick told Angel in the documentary. “You know that. Unfortunately, B.J., Aaron and Leslie, they did not know that. They had no idea that they could get out. They didn’t deserve it.”
Though the 45-year-old also wondered how much his boyband fame played a role.
“Sometimes I feel like it was my fault, you know, because I started it all,” he explained while talking to Angel. “You guys weren’t even 18 years old. You couldn’t escape. You couldn’t get out of there.”
But while they can’t change their past, Angel—who shares daughter Harper, 6, with husband Cory Conrad—is focused on the future, working to keep the memory of her late twin brotheralive.
“I would like to see the legacy of Aaron change into something positive, which is to continue to raise awareness, to help children, to save lives,” Angel told E! News last April. “I’m just so thankful that Aaron has touched so many people’s lives, and will continue to do so.”
Indeed, Angel noted that a “fire” lit inside her when she learned of her brother’s tragic death, inciting her to continue his legacy and break the vicious cycle in their family.
“Aaron had this fear of talking about his issues for so many years,” Angel added. “When Aaron died, I said to myself, ‘This stops today. We are not going to live like this anymore. The children of this family are going to not live in this anymore. And we are going to break the cycle.’”
Keep reading for a deeper look into the Carter family…
Sibling Photo
Nick Carter, Aaron Carter, Bobbie Jean Carter, Leslie Carter and Angel Carter pose for a family portait in New York in 2006.
Panel
Nick, Aaron, Leslie and Angel speak at a Television Critics Association panel in 2006.
Charity Event
The siblings attend Howie Dorough‘s birthday celebration to raise awareness for lupus.
Red Carpet Pic
Bobbie Jean, Nick, Angel, Leslie and Aaron step out at a promotional event for E! and STYLE Networks in 2006.
Out and About
The Carters join LaToya Jackson at the Cabana Club’s Hollywood Life Lounge in 2006.
Shopping Spree
Leslie, Angel, Nick, Bobbie Jean and Aaron also stop by the Kari Feinstein style lounge.
Music Moment
Angel, Aaron and Bobbie Jean were pictured smiling at Rolling Stone‘s party honoring their 2006 Annual Hot List.
