Nick Carter is ‘suing his rape accuser Melissa Schuman for $2.5M as he claims she has intentionally defamed him to revive her ‘dwindling career’
As a mental health advocate and someone who has lost loved ones to addiction, I find the story of the Carter family deeply saddening and troubling. The repeated instances of substance abuse and mental health struggles within the family are heartbreaking, and it seems that they were never able to escape the shadow of their fame and the pressures that come with it.
It appears that, according to reports, Nick Carter has taken legal action by filing a countersuit against Melissa Schuman, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her, seeking damages totaling $2.5 million.
According to PEOPLE, the lead vocalist of the Backstreet Boys, aged 44, has officially contested Schuman’s accusations by declaring them untrue and initiating a lawsuit against her instead.
The reported filing has come more than a year since Schuman, 39, filed a lawsuit against him accusing Carter of assault and battery.
In 2003, following their collaboration on the movie ‘The Hollow’, a journalist asserted that Carter, who was 22 at the time, invited her to his apartment in Santa Monica, California.
17-year-old Schuman claimed that Carter administered a sedative to her before he committed a sexual assault on her.
In the filing, Schuman also said she visited his home with a friend.
Carter, it seems, has recently submitted a response claim in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, arguing that Schuman’s accusations are untrue.
It’s said that the singer lodged a complaint on July 26, directed towards Schuman, who was the frontwoman of the 1990 girl group known as Dream.
Initially, Schuman wrote about allegations of sexual misconduct against Carter in her blog back in 2017. Later on, she discussed her claimed encounter with him multiple times.
As reported by the publication, the opposing argument asserts that Schuman accused Carter of being a rapist through social media posts, documentaries, and press conferences from September 2013 to May the next year.
According to the reports, Carter himself admits to having had a consensual sexual encounter, implying this action was taken as a strategy to revive what seems to be a flagging phase in her professional career.
According to the report, Schuman allegedly made statements with the intention of harming Carter’s reputation and disrupting his business prospects, benefits, and agreements.
In response to Carter’s latest court document, Schuman’s lawyer Karen Barth Menzies said to PEOPLE: “Carter’s counter-claim in California mirrors the arguments in his halted Nevada lawsuit. It’s clear that his strategy for defending against sexual assault allegations is to target the accusers.”
As a loyal supporter, I’d like to clarify that the documents submitted seem to dispute the allegations against Carter regarding any sexual assault on Shannon Ruth, who made claims of sexual battery back in December 2022.
A docuseries on the Investigation Discovery channel, titled “Fallen Idols,” explored the journey to stardom, scandals, and hardships experienced by Nick and his deceased brother Aaron.
Previously of the Backstreet Boys, his reputation has been tarnished by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, while at the same time, his younger sibling battled mental health issues and substance abuse problems, ultimately leading to his passing in November 2022.
Titled “Fallen Idols”: Nick and Aaron Carter, this show aired on ID and Max, offers candid on-screen conversations with three individuals who allege sexual misconduct against Nick.
Once more, he refuted all accusations directed towards him, asserting that his accusers had been manipulated or coordinated for the purpose of blackmailing him. His lawyer, Dale Hayes Jr., expressed to People that these allegations were beyond belief and preposterous.
Melissa Schuman’s claims against Nick Carter
Melissa Schuman alleges that Nick Carter sexually assaulted her in his Santa Monica apartment during the production of ‘The Hollow’ in 2003.
Back in 2017, she initially made her allegations public through a blog post, claiming to be only 18 years old and still a virgin at the time.
Carter has previously denied her accusation and insisted their sexual encounter was consensual.
At the time, he said in a statement: ‘I am shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman’s accusations.
In the course of our relationship and even afterward, Melissa never indicated to me that our actions were non-consensual. Following this, we collaborated on a song and shared a stage, with me consistently showing respect and support towards Melissa, not only professionally but also on a personal level.
1. “I’m just now learning about these allegations, more than twenty years past. It goes against my character and the values that matter most to me to knowingly inflict distress or hurt upon anyone.”
Due to a 10-year statute of limitations, Schuman was initially unable to bring forth a lawsuit regarding her sexual assault case. However, the law in California changed in 2023, extending the time frame for filing such lawsuits. As a result, she filed her lawsuit in January 2023.
Carter was alleged by Schuman to have coerced her into engaging in sexual acts, including oral sex, when he was 22 and she was 18. She claimed that her initial sexual encounter was with Carter, despite her repeatedly telling him that she didn’t want to have sex until she got married.
In Fallen Idols, she narrates an account of an alleged assault where she says: ‘He persists in kissing me, then lifts me onto the counter. I sense him undoing my trousers and I halt him, expressing that I don’t wish to proceed any further.’
‘But he did not listen to me, despite the fact that I resisted and told him no. He started to perform oral sex on me, which was horrific.’
As a woman who has faced her fair share of harassment, I can relate to this situation all too well. The feeling of being objectified and violated is one that never truly leaves you. In this scenario, turning off the light was not just about avoiding the sight of something unwanted, but rather a desperate attempt to regain control in a moment that felt out of control.
I exclaim: “He strips down, hops onto the kitchen counter, and demands, ‘Go ahead, do it now!’ His demeanor rapidly shifts from playful to agitated and frustrated with my presence.”
While he was kissing me, I expressed, “I prefer not to engage in sexual activities. I’m preserving that experience for my wedding.” I’ve made it clear to him several times, “I’m keeping myself for the man who will become my future spouse.” To which he replied, “Perhaps I could be that man.”
Schuman told the cameras she felt Nick ‘put something inside’ of her.
In response, I inquired, “Nick, could you enlighten me about that object? To my surprise, he casually replied, ‘That’s a piece of my essence, darling.'”
After a while, he asked, “Aren’t you having fun?” I replied, “No.” That’s when he stopped what he was doing with me.
A day after the reported sexual assault incident, Schuman alleges she got a text message from Nick saying, “Why did you make me do that?” She stated this message left her feeling unsettled.
Back then, I was absolutely floored when Liane K. Wakayama, Carter’s lawyer, declared to DailyMail.com that for quite some time, Melissa and Jerome Schuman had been hatching a scheme with whoever they could sway, aiming to fabricate baseless allegations against Nick Carter. Their ultimate goal? To cash in on him. As an ardent fan, it was disheartening to witness such underhanded tactics.
In the documentary, Schumer likewise discusses the hardships she endured following her accusations, such as hostile messages from Backstreet Boys supporters casting doubt on her integrity.
Carter has denied all of the accusations made by Schuman.
In the documentary, Schuman admits she’s genuinely frightened of him, her voice trembling with emotion as a single tear trickles down her face.
Nick Carter’s ex-girlfriend Kaya Jones backing Melissa Schuman
Nick Carter’s ex-girlfriend Kaya Jones also made a surprise appearance in Fallen Idols.
The singer from The Pussycat Dolls, who had a relationship with a former member of the Backstreet Boys from 2004 to 2005, disclosed that she suspects a terrible incident occurred involving Melissa Schuman.
In an on-camera interview, she mentioned that back in 2017, she contacted the individual who had accused him of sexual assault via a private message on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
As a member of the Pussycat Dolls, I had the chance to be romantically involved with Nick Carter. In the recent documentary series, I’ve witnessed firsthand the thorough accusation against him, as well as his response.
‘It bothered me. Because it was discrediting this girl [Schuman]. So I wanted to hear what Melissa had to say.’
After jumping on the phone with Jones, Schuman later recalled that ‘Kaya was so kind to’ her.
In Schuman’s words, it seems like our conversation lasted quite some time. What he needed was someone to assure him that his life wasn’t at an end.
Jones remembered that following Schuman’s disclosure, she noticed a ‘young lady attempting to express herself, while another individual believed they held greater influence and tried to silence her.’
Her actions resulted in her privately messaging Nick, advising him that she would no longer protect his confidences and urged caution.
She shared with the cameras, “Since he has the same knowledge as me, it’s clear that he understands why I chose to leave him. And, based on what I know, I strongly suspect that something terrible must have occurred to that girl, indeed.”
Shannon ‘Shay’ Ruth’s claims against Nick Carter
As an ardent admirer speaking up, I find myself compelled to share Shannon ‘Shay’ Ruth’s account from 2001. At the tender age of 17, Shay, who is on the autism spectrum and battles cerebral palsy, alleges that Nick Carter abused her while we were both on tour together.
In February 2001, following the band’s performance in Tacoma, Washington, I was fortunate enough to be invited aboard the singer’s tour bus, after he spotted me patiently waiting for his autograph.
On Tuesday’s Fallen Idols show, it is reported that Ruth asserts the celebrity dropped his pants, exposing himself to her in a restroom. She further alleges that he coerced her into performing an unwanted sexual act, followed by a rape incident.
She elaborated on the emotional turmoil, bewilderment, aggravation, humiliation, and self-inflicted harm that supposedly resulted from the incident, and asserted that Carter attempted to intimidate and suppress her in the immediate wake of the event.
Later on, she asserted that she had informed Carter she would disclose the purported assault to others – however, it’s said that he supposedly warned he would turn individuals against her, allegedly labeling her a ‘liar’ and a ‘worthless little woman’ who no one would trust.
Additionally, Ruth asserts that she was infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease, following the alleged attack. Prior to this incident, she had not previously engaged in sexual activity.
In a statement issued in December 2022, Carter refuted the claims, stating that they were both legally baseless and completely false, referring to an alleged event over 20 years old.
For a while now, Ms. Ruth has been mistakenly accused of making untrue claims against Nick, and these accusations have significantly altered and evolved over the years.
‘People should not be misled by a publicity trick masterminded by a self-serving attorney; this allegation is completely baseless and we are certain that the judicial system will soon come to the same conclusion.’
In March 2023, a judge in Las Vegas allowed Carter to file a lawsuit against Ruth, as he claimed she had falsely implicated him in an attempted extortion.
Another woman, Ashley Repp, has additionally brought forth accusations against Nick for inappropriate behavior. In August 2023, she filed a lawsuit claiming an incidence that occurred in Florida in the year 2003 involved him.
In the previous year, after the latest allegation from Repp (initially known only by her initials), Carter’s lawyer, Dale Hayes Jr., informed DailyMail.com that Nick refutes her assertions and labels the three lawsuits as ‘malicious ploys.’
In February 2024, Carter named Schuman in a $2.3 million suit against Shannon Ruth, TMZ reported.
In a lawsuit that Carter initiated, the former boy band member alleged that Schuman guided Ruth in a scheme to extort money which, according to him, resulted in millions of dollars worth of potential earnings being lost.
Earlier this month, the 44-year-old vocalist requested a summary judgment motion be granted, against Shannon Ruth, as reported by US Weekly.
In simpler terms, the filing stated that Ruth aimed to attract maximum attention, hoping it would lead to Carter being removed from the spotlight. Temporarily, her plan seemed effective.
According to the documents, ABC decided not to air the Backstreet Boys’ holiday special, A Very Backstreet Holiday, leaving Carter in a difficult position as he struggled to clear his name and protect his family.
Approximately a year ago, Carter gathered all the proof needed to show he was truthful from the beginning – he had never raped Ruth nor any other person. This assertion was reinforced in the subsequent document.
The document also states that similar accusations against him, from individuals like Melissa Schuman and a person referred to as A.R., were possibly organized or coordinated.
The performer asserts that the entire situation is orchestrated as a strategy to gain popularity and extract funds from Carter, further stating that Ruth’s testimony has been deliberately falsified, describing it as an “impossibility in reality.”
Nick and Aaron Carter’s mother would pit them against each other
The docuseries also provides an insight to the Carter family, who have been plagued with tragedies.
Nick and Aaron were two out of the five kids born to Bob Carter and their mother-manager, Jane Schneck. Nick is the eldest, with Bobbie Jean coming next, followed by another sister named Leslie, then Aaron, and finally Aaron’s twin sister, Angel.
In 2012, Leslie Carter, a cast member on the family’s reality TV series, had an unfortunate incident where she slipped in the shower. After this accident, she took a nap, unfortunately, she did not regain consciousness. At just 25 years of age, her life was cut tragically short.
The hospital record contained a note suggesting that medications played a role in her passing. Further investigation revealed that at the time of her death, traces of Xanax, Zyprexa, and a muscle relaxant were found in her body.
In 2017, Bob Carter died at the age of 65 of a suspected heart attack.
Approximately ten years after the event, Aaron Carter was discovered under tragic circumstances that bore a striking resemblance to those surrounding his sister’s death. He was found unresponsive in a bathtub at his residence, having apparently taken a generic version of the well-known drug Xanax.
Aaron, who was 34 years old, tragically passed away due to an accidental drowning. It was also known that he had been struggling with drug issues, particularly in the period leading up to his demise.
In December 2023, a heartbreaking incident happened within the family as Bobbie Jean, age 41, was discovered deceased in her Tampa residence’s bathroom.
In the documentary, it was noted that Jen, a familiar figure within the Carter family, made an appearance as well, expressing that Jane had a habit of comparing her sons’ achievements, which eventually led to tension between Aaron and Nick.
It appears that Aaron may have developed a significant sense of resentment or defensiveness (a “large chip” on his shoulder), which Nick was unaware of. Jane, on the other hand, seemed to be constantly influencing or advising Aaron.
According to Aaron’s tour manager Mark Giovi, both Jane and Bob Carter made significant contributions to Aaron’s career, yet they also engaged in actions that had a detrimental impact on his career.
‘They treated the children like employees.’
The docuseries notes that Jane declined to comment when they reached out.
Aaron Carter thought his family were behind cyberbullying attacks
In Fallen Idols, it came to light that Aaron Carter suspected his relatives played a role in the widespread cyberbullying he endured.
1. In a public display, Aaron openly backed Nick’s accusers, and during an Instagram Live session with Melissa Schuman, he stated emphatically: “Indeed, my sibling committed the act of rape against you, and I am fully aware of it.”
In another live video on Instagram, he said Nick is ‘is clearly doing it’.
Adding: ‘It only started when I became a voice for rape victims.’
In the documentary series, a private investigator named Jennifer Huffman disclosed that she was employed by Aaron to put an end to the harassment.
In her presentation, she detailed that an individual claimed to be a target of harassment and sought assistance in ending it. Much of this ordeal stemmed from a YouTuber known as Ganval, who refers to himself as the arch-nemesis of the person involved, whom he calls Aaron.
Footage was then shown of Ganval and Nick’s wife Lauren Kitt Carter interacting on social media.
The detective questioned, “What could possibly connect his sister-in-law with someone who spends their time attempting to provoke and bully Aaron on the internet?”
She also added: ‘But at no time did I see any indication of Nick Carter harassing Aaron’.
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2024-08-14 14:41