Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter (pictured second from right) was accused last month of raping a former girl band pop singer in 2004, something that he adamantly denies. His fellow bandmate stepped up to defend him and said the claims against Carter are “bogus.”
“I totally support my brother,” McLean, 39 (pictured far right), told TMZ. “He is a gentleman, a scholar and a father and a dear friend and I completely support him.”
Last week, Carter’s former Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) partner, Sharna Burgess, jumped to the his defense and referred her Twitter followers to an article written by Sarah Lewis. On her blog, Lewis laid out reasons why many people are still confused and scratching their heads at the accusations against Carter, including the fact that the person who accused him, Melissa Schuman, still followed the boy band member on social media.
“Probably the most questionable fact regarding Melissa and Nick has been the fact that Melissa Schuman follows Nick Carter on Twitter,” Lewis wrote. “Even after many fans pointing this out, she has not unfollowed him. Melissa joined Twitter in April 2008 and Nick didn’t join until March 2009. This was 6 and 7 years after the alleged incident and it isn’t a case of ‘follow back’ since Nick does not follow her.”
Ill post a video this weekend about my thoughts and feels on @nickcarter and the accusations, but until then… ill just leave this right here. Please know your facts before stating your opinion. https://t.co/ljPrJyp6vX
— Sharna Burgess (@SharnaBurgess) December 2, 2017
Burgess, however, who danced with Carter during DWTS‘ 2005, pointed out that her defense of her former dance partner was in no way “victim shaming,” but rather supporting her friend amid the disturbing accusations.
“These are only my thoughts, this is not victim shaming, y’all know me and I would never. Just because I support Nick, doesn’t mean I don’t support female empowerment or #metoo. They are both movements that I am a part of, here for and proud of.”
Part 1. These are only my thoughts, this is not victim shaming, y’all know me and I would never. Just because I support Nick, doesn’t mean I don’t support female empowerment or #metoo. They are both movements that I am a part of, here for and proud of. pic.twitter.com/J8Gz7dczhv
— Sharna Burgess (@SharnaBurgess) December 3, 2017
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Schuman, arguably best known for her DREAM hit, “He Loves U Not,” detailed the alleged incident on her blog earlier this month, claiming that when she was 18, a then-22-year-old Carter performed oral sex her, forced her to perform oral sex on him, then raped her. Schuman claimed she told Carter numerous times she wasn’t interested, but he reportedly didn’t listen.
According the Schuman’s post, the incident happened when Carted invited her to his Santa Monica apartment after they were both casted in the 2004 television movie, Hollow. She alleged when she arrived to his apartment, Carter immediately offered her liquor. Schuman reportedly brought her friend along, who hung out with Carter’s friend, an unknown male, at the apartment.
Melissa Schuman Accuses “Backstreet Boy” Nick Carter of Rape https://t.co/Jj3PNU2Z55 #BelieveWomen @MelissaSchuman pic.twitter.com/l88pIG3Z50
— The Mary Sue (@TheMarySue) November 21, 2017
Schuman claimed Carter led her to his office, where they began kissing. She said she emphasized to Carter that she was a virgin and had no plans of going any further.
“He took my hand and led me down the hallway to the office. He went to his computer and started to play the music he was working on, he turned off the light and we sat there in the computer light listening to his new stuff. And naturally we started to kiss. He was aware that I was a virgin and that I held to religious conservative christian values. I was vocal about this. Everyone knew about this, including those who repped me.”
Afterward, Schuman claimed Carter picked her up and placed her on the bathroom counter, where he unbuttoned her pants. She said she told him to stop numerous times, but the singer didn’t listen, and continued until he took her pants off and proceeded to have oral sex with her—later demanding that she return the favor. He then allegedly took her to his bed, where she claimed he raped her, despite her pleading with him to stop.
People reports that when Carter learned of the accusations, he issued a statement in which he claimed that he’s never been sexually involved with anyone unless it was consensual, including Schuman. He indicated that after the alleged night in question, they recorded a song and performed together, without Schuman ever uttering a word that she felt uncomfortable.
“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.”
Schuman, however, wrote that she tried to report the incident, but her manager, Nils Larsen, told her it would hurt her career, not to mention that Carter reportedly had the “most powerful litigator in the country.” She said she was advised against coming forward because she would be publicly humiliated, as Carter had legions of devoted fans would likely defend him. She ultimately decided to let it go and focus on her career….until now.
Carter took issue with the fact Schuman made the claims decades later.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Schuman is holding firm to her story. She’s received an outpouring of support on social media, which she said gave the chance to start the healing process. Schuman is currently working on an acting and singing career.
Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Backstreet Boys/Sanford Myers/Invision/AP]
