Angel Carter Conrad wants the world to know Aaron Carter, through her eyes.
Three years after Aaron’s death, the story of the Carter family—which, in addition to twins Aaron and Angel, includes Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter as well as late sisters Leslie Carter and Bobbie Jean Carter—will be shared with fans like never before in an upcoming documentary titled The Carters: Hurts to Love You.
While disclosing the family’s most private moments—including its high highs and even lower lows—was not easy, Angel found strength in her late brother.
“Honestly, losing Aaron—that gave me the courage,” she told E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the documentary’s screening April 9. “He’s the passion that drives everything. Everything I do with the kids mental health foundation, and everything that we’ve done with this film—it is my love for my family and for wanting people to know who he really was at his core.”
In fact, it wasn’t just Aaron that inspired Angel to create the documentary, which premieres April 15 on Paramount+. A conversation with her late sister Bobbie, who died in Dec. 2023 of a drug overdose, has also stuck with Angel.
“Six months before she passed away, she knew that this is something that could happen to her and she told me, ‘When I die tell my story,’” the 37-year-old explained. “So that’s why I’m here. I’m here telling their story and we’re going to help a lot of people.”
She added, “I could not allow my family members to die in vain. Because if I did nothing that is what it would be. We need to serve a purpose here. We need to help people. We need to save lives and that’s what this is about.”
Indeed, it was Angel’s dedication and deep love for her family that encouraged documentary director Soleil Moon Frye to get involved.
“I met this exquisite, incredible being that has such a brave heart and so much courage,” the Sabrina the Teenage Witch alum explained of Angel, “and has gone through so much loss, and in dealing with that loss has found so much light. Every one of her broken parts continues to let the light in.”
As she put it, “I wanted to help create a safe space for her to be able to speak her truth. And to share her family’s story.”
And while so many members of her family are now gone, including her twin brother, Angel still feels their presence closely—especially as she embarks on making their story known.
“I know that Aaron right now is looking down on me and he is definitely here in this moment,” she explained. “He is looking down on me and he is laughing at me because he knows that this is not my thing. I just keep thinking of his laughter and his smile and my family, you know?”
She continued, “They were just these down to earth, humble people. Yes, we had the fame and the money, but that was never what it was about. Nick was a singer and Aaron was a singer because they loved the music and it was in their blood.”
The Carters: Hurts to Love You premieres on Paramount+ April 15.
