Nick Carter is reportedly releasing a new song in honor of his brother Aaron, who died on Nov. 5, 2022, at age 35. Recently, Nick has been teasing new music on Instagram, including a post where he shared a Jan. 11 release date and another where he sits next to what appears to be a home movie projector watching film.
While Carter’s reps did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment, TMZ reported that the song is about Aaron and that Nick began working on it shortly after his death. Sources told the outlet that the track is about his unconditional love for his brother and their complicated relationship. The music video reportedly uses never-before-seen videos of them together when they were younger.
The brothers, who were born seven years apart, have a famously complicated relationship. In 2019, Nick filed a restraining order against his younger brother, per NBC News, and alleged that Aaron expressed “alarming behavior” and thoughts of killing Nick’s wife and child. Nick said their sister Angel also sought the order with him and said in a statement at the time, “We love our brother and truly hope he gets the proper treatment he needs before any harm comes to himself or anyone else.”
After Aaron’s November passing, Nick and Angel set up a fund to support On Our Sleeves, a children’s mental health organization. “Thank you for choosing to celebrate the impact of the life of Aaron Carter with a gift of hope. By honoring Aaron, you help Nick, Angel, and their family’s commitment of helping others,” the donation page reads.
In December, Shannon “Shay” Ruth claimed that Nick sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 years old. Carter’s attorney said at the time, “This claim about an incident that supposedly took place more than 20 years ago is not only legally meritless but also entirely untrue. 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, which we have no doubt the courts will quickly realize.” As a result of Ruth’s allegations against Nick, POPSUGAR confirmed that ABC pulled the Backstreet Boys Christmas Special from their December lineup.
Nick also faced rape allegations from singer Melissa Schuman in 2017, who said the assault took place in 2003, which he also denied. CNN reported that LA prosecutors did not file charges because the statute of limitations expired.
Related: DWTS’s Carrie Ann Inaba Mourns Aaron Carter: “He Had a Very Special and Tender Heart”
