In the latest development of a sexual assault scandal, Nick Carter, a member of the popular boy band Backstreet Boys, has been named in a lawsuit accusing him of rape. The case has been filed by a woman who claims that Carter raped her in 2002 when she was 18 years old. The case has sparked widespread attention and discussion, as fans of the Backstreet Boys and advocates for sexual assault survivors weigh in on the issue. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the case and explore the impact it could have on the music industry and the #MeToo movement.
Nick Carter, the Backstreet Boys singer, has been accused of sexual assault and battery by Melissa Schuman, a former member of the girl group Dream. Schuman claims that in 2003, Carter, aged 22 at the time, raped her in his Santa Monica apartment, using his fame and power to prey on and manipulate her. She alleges that after the assault, Carter continued to “manipulate and torment” her through text messages and phone calls. Schuman’s solo career never took off, and she has questioned whether Carter may have influenced the eventual loss of her manager, who also represented Carter.
Schuman reported the alleged rape to the Santa Monica Police Department in February 2018, but the statute of limitations had expired in 2013, and no charges were brought against Carter. In response to the allegations, Carter has denied the claims, stating that he has never acted without his partner’s consent. Liane Wakayama, Carter’s attorney, has accused Schuman of “plotting to damage, defame and extort Nick, his associates, his friends and his family.”
This is not the first time that Carter has been subject to accusations of sexual misconduct. Shannon Ruth filed a sexual battery lawsuit in Nevada in December 2020, claiming that Carter had forced her to perform oral sex on him and raped her on his tour bus in 2001, when she was 17. Ruth, who described herself as autistic and having cerebral palsy, also claimed that Carter had insulted her following the alleged attack. In response to Ruth’s lawsuit, ABC cancelled airing a pre-taped Backstreet Boys Christmas special. Carter has denied all accusations and filed a countersuit against Ruth for $2.35 million.
Schuman herself has also faced accusations of complicity. She and her father, Jerome, were among co-defendants in Carter’s counterclaim. Ruth’s lawsuit accuses Carter of sexually assaulting three other women, including one who filed a police report in Wisconsin alleging that Carter and a friend had sexually assaulted her in Key West in 2006. That case never resulted in any charges being brought.
Schuman has been vocal about the impact of the alleged assault on her career and personal life. She claims that she was bullied into silence by her manager, who told her that if she accused Carter of rape, her career in the music industry would be over. She has also spoken about the trauma of the attack itself, saying that “it affects the rest of your life… The one thing that I have is I have my voice back. And that means more to me than anything else, is that I am empowered, and I’m not shutting up, and I’m not going away. I’m not scared anymore.”
The case against Carter is the latest in a series of high-profile accusations in the entertainment industry in recent years, as women come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse perpetrated by powerful men. Such allegations are redefining how society views power dynamics in romantic relationships and reshaping the cultural norms around issues of consent. As a result, visible cultural icons must now be particularly cautious about their conduct in all situations, particularly those involving their vulnerable fans.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, many victims of sexual assault and abuse are finally finding the strength to come forward and hold their perpetrators accountable. This latest development in the case of Nick Carter and his accuser is a reminder that justice can be pursued, even years after the fact. It is crucial that we continue to listen to and support survivors, while also holding accountable those who perpetrate violence and abuse. The Backstreet Boys may have been one of the biggest boy bands of the 90s, but no amount of fame or success should protect anyone from the consequences of their actions. Let us all strive to create a society where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered to seek justice.
