“Fallen Idols” delves into the accusations and controversies surrounding Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and the late pop singer Aaron Carter.
The Investigation Discovery docuseries introduces three women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Nick: Melissa Schuman, known for her time in the girl group Dream; Ashley Repp, a former friend of Nick’s sister Angel; and Shannon “Shay” Ruth, who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him in December 2022.
The four-part docuseries also sheds light on the Carter family, comprising parents Robert and Jane and children Nick, Leslie, Angel, Bobbie Jean, and Aaron. The family has faced a string of tragedies: Leslie’s death at age 25 from a drug overdose in 2012; Aaron’s drowning at age 34 in 2022 under the influence of alprazolam and inhaling difluoroethane; and Bobbie Jean’s death from a drug overdose at age 41 in 2023.
In the documentary, a title card stated that Nick “denied the allegations and questioned his accusers’ credibility,” and he also declined to participate in interviews.
Here are the five most significant revelations from “Fallen Idols,” airing over two nights on May 27 and May 28 at 9 p.m. ET on ID and Max:
1. Allegations Against Nick Carter: The documentary delves into allegations of sexual assault made against Nick Carter by multiple women, including Melissa Schuman, Ashley Repp, and Shannon “Shay” Ruth. These accusations have sparked controversy and raised questions about accountability within the music industry.
2. Family Tragedies: The Carter family has faced a series of devastating losses, including the deaths of Leslie, Aaron, and Bobbie Jean. These tragedies have cast a shadow over the family and raised concerns about the impact of fame and fortune on personal well-being.
3. Nick Carter’s Response: Despite the allegations, Nick Carter has denied any wrongdoing and questioned the credibility of his accusers. His decision not to participate in interviews adds another layer of complexity to the story.
4. Impact on Victims: The documentary sheds light on the emotional toll experienced by the alleged victims of sexual assault, highlighting the challenges they face in seeking justice and speaking out against powerful figures in the entertainment industry.
5. Accountability in the Music Industry: “Fallen Idols” raises important questions about accountability and transparency in the music industry, particularly concerning allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The documentary prompts viewers to reflect on the broader implications of these issues and the need for systemic change.
These revelations underscore the complexity of the issues explored in “Fallen Idols” and the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogue about accountability, justice, and support for survivors.
Schuman detailed her alleged rape by Nick in 2003 during the filming of the TV movie “The Hollow.” She stated that Nick invited her and a friend over to his Santa Monica apartment for a “casual hangout.” Schuman claimed that Nick then led her into a bathroom, where he forcefully initiated oral sex.
“He continues to kiss me, and then he puts me up on the counter. I can feel him unbuttoning my pants, and I stop him and tell him, ‘I don’t want to go any further,’” Schuman said. “But he did not listen to me, despite my resistance and repeated ‘no.’ He proceeded to perform oral sex on me, which was horrific.”
Schuman continued, “I turned off the light so I didn’t have to see it, see him, see any of it. He kept turning it back on and telling me he wanted to look at me, which was even more humiliating and gross. I don’t even know how long it went on for.”
She alleged that Nick then forced her to reciprocate, stating, “He pulls off his pants and puts himself on the counter and says, ‘Now do it to me.’”
After she declined, Schuman claimed, “He started to get really angry and irritated with me.”
They subsequently moved to the bedroom, she recalled. “As he is kissing me, I am telling him, ‘I don’t want to have sex. I am saving myself for marriage.’ I told him so many times, ‘I am saving myself for my future husband.’ He said, ‘I could be your husband.’”
Schuman then recounted, “I felt him put something inside me. I didn’t see it. I didn’t try to see it. I asked him, ‘Nick, what is that?’ He said, ‘It’s all me, baby.’ Eventually, he goes, ‘You’re not enjoying this, are you?’ I said, ‘No.’ And that’s when he got off me.”
The day after the alleged sexual assault, Schuman received a text message from the singer that read, “Why did you make me do that?”
“That text message freaked me out,” Schuman said. “I confided in my manager about going to the police and reporting the crime. And he was just like, ‘[Nick’s] got the most powerful litigator in the country.’” Nick Carter
The docuseries noted that Nick maintains his sexual encounter with Schuman was “consensual” and that his friend Tony Bass, who was there that night, supports his account. Schuman’s previous manager also denied that she told him about the alleged rape. Nick Carter
Nick’s ex-girlfriend, former Pussycat Dolls member Kaya Jones, reached out to Schuman after she spoke out.
Jones, who dated Nick in the 2000s, appeared in “Fallen Idols” to explain why she believed Schuman’s allegations.
Jones recalled reading Schuman’s blog post in 2017, where she publicly accused Nick of raping her. Alongside Nick’s denial of Schuman’s claims, the former Dream singer faced harassment and doxxing online by his fans. Jones messaged Schuman on X/Twitter, offering to speak over the phone.
“I saw a young woman try to speak, and someone who thought he had more power and authority try to shut her up,” Jones said in the docuseries. “He knows what I know. He knows why I left him. So do I believe that something horrific happened to that girl? Yes, yes I do.”
Schuman described Jones as “so kind,” and they spoke for hours. In 2017, after Schuman published her sexual assault allegations, Jones wrote on X/Twitter: “Nick Carter was my boyfriend while I was in the Pussycat Dolls. He knew about the abuse I endured and did nothing. I guess I now know why. Disgusting. Disgraceful. Disgusted in my heart. Especially because he was a victim of abuse himself. Shame on you Nick!” Nick Carter
Aaron also supported the women who accused his brother of sexual assault.
Nick allegedly assaulted Repp, who was friends with his sister Angel at the time, at the Carter family home in Florida when he was 23 and she was 15.
After a second instance, in which Repp claimed she was raped by Nick in front of his friends, she said, “Aaron could tell that something was wrong with me.” Nick Carter
“Aaron was very kind to me,” she continued. “He didn’t have a great relationship with his brother at that time because of what he said were other similar events with his brother and younger girls.” Nick Carter
Meanwhile, Schuman claimed that in 2019, Aaron reached out to her and “told me he believed me, and that’s my brother.” Nick Carter
Aaron publicly voiced support for Nick’s alleged victims, sparking an intense feud between the two brothers.
