Former teen heartthrob and member of the popular boy band ‘Backstreet Boys,’ Nick Carter, has been hit with a lawsuit over sexual assault and battery allegations by Dream singer Melissa Schuman. The accusations, which date back to 2002 when Schuman was 18-years-old, have rocked the music industry and sparked a conversation about the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry. This article will delve into the details of the lawsuit, the response from both parties involved, and the significance of these allegations in the current #MeToo movement.
Melissa Schuman, former member of girl group Dream, has filed a sexual assault and battery lawsuit against Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter. In court documents obtained by TMZ, Schuman stated that in 2003, when she was 18 and Carter was 22, he performed oral sex on her against her will before forcing her to reciprocate. She also claimed that Carter took her virginity, even though she had told him she was saving herself for marriage.
This is not the first time Schuman has accused Carter of sexual assault. In November 2017, she accused him of raping her at his home. She filed a report with the Santa Monica Police Department the following February, hoping Carter would face criminal charges, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute because the statute of limitations had expired.
However, a new California law that went into effect earlier this year revived sexual assault claims and extended the statute of limitations for reporting them. Therefore, Schuman has taken her claims to court once again.
Carter has repeatedly denied the allegations made against him by Schuman. In fact, he filed a countersuit against her and Shannon Ruth in February 2023. Ruth sued Carter for allegedly raping her on a tour bus in 2001 when she was 17. Carter’s countersuit was for defamation and extortion, and he claimed that the two women were involved in a “conspiracy” against him.
In a statement released to Page Six, Carter’s attorney, Liane K. Wakayama, reiterated that Schuman’s allegations were false when she first made them in 2017 and still were. She also said that a judge in Nevada recently ruled that there were strong grounds for Carter to proceed with his lawsuit against Schuman for plotting to damage, defame and extort him, his associates, his friends, and his family.
Schuman responded to Carter’s countersuit with a statement to The Post, saying that she has faced backlash for standing up for herself. She also stated that it was time for powerful figures in the music industry to understand that they can no longer enable and protect sexual predators. Schuman is fighting to make the music industry a safer place to work and perform.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry. Many women have come forward in recent years with allegations against powerful men in the industry, including Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly. While progress has been made with the implementation of new laws and the increased attention to these issues, there is still a long way to go. It is important for survivors to know that they can speak out and that they will be heard and supported. It is also important for those in positions of power in the industry to take responsibility and make changes to ensure the safety of all artists and workers.
In conclusion, the allegations made by Melissa Schuman against Nick Carter are serious and have sparked an important conversation about sexual assault and abuse in the entertainment industry. While the outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, it is important that we continue to support survivors of assault and hold those who commit these crimes accountable for their actions. It is only through speaking out and taking action that we can hope to create a safer and more just society for all.