Backstreet Boys fans are showing their support for Nick Carter as he fights back at sexual assault allegations in court.
The singer is currently in a court battle over sexual assault allegations made by several women. As he faces a serious lawsuit, several Backstreet Boys fans have come to his defense, with #IStandWithNickCarter trending on Twitter.
The allegations began in 2017, when Melissa Schuman said that the Backstreet Boy had drugged and assaulted her in 2003 when she was a teenager. Many women followed with their own stories, including Ashley Repp. Earlier this year, Carter's bid to dismiss Schuman's lawsuit was shut down by a judge.
In 2018, a police report signaled that an investigation on Schuman's story had been opened. Carter responded to the accusation at the time, denying it.
"Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual. We went on to record a song and perform together, and I was always respectful and supportive of Melissa both personally and professionally."
READ ALSO: Nick Carter Files Countersuit 'Sexual Abuse' Accuser, Says All is Part of a 5-Year Scheme
Although many supported Carter when the stories surfaced, his brother, the late Aaron Carter, backed up the alleged victims' stories, Hollywood Gossip reports.
Another woman, Shannon Ruth, has since filed a lawsuit, stating that Carter had drugged and raped her on his tour bus after a 2001 concert.
As the battle plays out in court, Carter posted his court motion on X, formerly known as Twitter, via a Google Drive link. Telling his supporters to "respect and trust the process," the court document slams Ruth as "desperate for her two minutes of fame" and goes on to state that the allegations are just aiming to extort money from him.
"Every single allegation of sexual assault against him has been orchestrated by Melissa Schuman, Jerry Schuman, Ashley Repp, and Ruth as part of their plan to garner fame and extort Carter out of money," the motion reads. "Carter has refused to meet any of their demands and remains steadfast in exposing these people for who they truly are, con-artists and criminal cohorts."
Respect and trust the process 🙏🏻https://t.co/LvPNJmACL0
— Nick Carter (@nickcarter) May 7, 2024
The legal troubles will be explored in a new four-part documentary, Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter, which is coming soon to Investigation Discovery, Variety reports. The series will investigate the sexual assault allegations made against Nick, while also diving into the mental health and substance abuse struggles that led to Aaron's death.
Schuman, Repp, and Ruth have all given interviews for the story, as well as Nick's ex-girlfriend Kaya Jones and an "unnamed member of the Carter family."
The docuseries will dive into what led to the fallout between the two brothers, as well as provide a deeper understanding of what the allegations entail. The victims will also open up about the intense backlash they have faced since coming forward with their stories.
Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter will air its first two parts on Monday, May 27, before picking up on Tuesday, May 28, at 9 p.m. ET.
