LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 24: (L-R) Recording artists Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter of music group Backstreet Boys perform onstage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 24, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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As time goes on, more and more men have been exposed for both their complacency and their conscious execution of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the entertainment industry. This is an extremely troubling time of shocking confessions, heartbreaking stories and a growing list of names of both victims and alleged assailants.
Former Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter’s name is being added to the list of alleged rapists in Hollywood after one woman’s recent revelation.
Melissa Schuman was a member of Dream, a popular girl group from the early 2000s, when she met Nick Carter. Some might remember the pair’s appearance in 2004’s The Hollow (though realistically, nobody remembers the made-for-TV movie), Schuman says that there was much more to the story behind the scenes.
In a blog post, Schuman alleged that record execs played matchmaker and paired her with Carter after they “anticipated [a] spark” between the two young singers. Schuman went on to detail her account of Carter allegedly raping her and terrorizing her with violent, angry voicemails afterward. Schuman wrote that it began as casually hanging out and an invitation to come over and listen to music but it eventually turned into a nightmare.
Schuman’s description is disturbing and graphic, meaning it could be potentially triggering for sexual assault or harassment survivors.
Schuman wrote that it began with kissing, but that she was uncomfortable once Carter began pressuring her to perform oral sex on him.
He didn’t respond and continued to kiss me. He then pick me up, put me on the bathroom counter and started to unbutton my pants. I told him I didn’t want to go any further.
He didn’t listen.
He didn’t care.
Schuman said Carter began to perform oral sex on her against her will before asking her to do the same. She refused. From there, she wrote that he became impatient, took her to another room and raped her.
Same as before his appetite was still not satisfied and now took me to the bedroom. It was late. The apartment was now dark and all you could hear was the remaining music in the living room. He threw me on the bed and climbed on top of me. Again, I told him that I was a virgin and I didn’t want to have sex. I told him that I was saving myself for my future husband. I said it over and over again. He whispered in my ear as to entice me,
“I could be your husband.”
He was relentless, refusing to take my no’s for an answer. He was heavy, too heavy to get out from under him. Then I felt it, he put something inside of me. I asked him what it was and he whispered in my ear once more,
“it’s all me baby.”
It was done. The one thing I had held as a virtue had been ruined. I went limp, turned my head to my left and decided I would just go to sleep now. I wanted to believe it was some sort of nightmare I was dreaming up.
Schuman said that she was inspired to share her story after seeing hate comments made towards another potential victim. In October, Radar Online reported that authorities were investigating separate allegations against Carter. In this case, Schuman said the comments not only belittled and questioned the victim, they escalated to harassment and violence.
After sharing her story, Schuman sent out a tweet thanking readers for their support.
I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Thank you for bearing witness to my story. Thank you for providing me a safe place to be open and vulnerable. I love you all. Thank you for aiding me in the healing that I so desperately needed. I am free now.
— MelissaSchuman (@MelissaSchuman) November 21, 2017
Carter has not responded to the allegations yet.
In the coming days, we encourage survivors and victims to please keep their mental health in mind. It seems as though this horrifying list is only growing longer and longer.
Update: Nick Carter has released a response to the allegations, telling Cosmopolitan in a statement:
“I am shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman’s accusations. 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. This is the first that I am hearing about these accusations, nearly two decades later. It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm.”
