Nickolas Gene Carter, popularly known as Nick Carter, is a member of one of the most famous boy bands in the 90s — Backstreet Boys.
Backstreet Boys rose to international stardom with their debut album, “Backstreet Boys” (1996). They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boy band of all time, and one of the world’s best-selling music artists. They are the first group since Led Zeppelin to have their first ten albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and the only boy band to do so.
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Nick Carter’s sexuality has been an ongoing debate for decades now. But amidst all these rumors, the pop star had remained mum, he never directly addressed the issue. Although he has a very long, controversial list of dating history to prove his sexuality. But the question remains — is Nick Carter gay? Let’s delve into the matter to find out.
VOTE: What is Nick Carter’s Sexuality?
Nick Carter’s Wife
For those who do not know, Nick Carter has been married to actress Lauren Michelle Kitt since 2014. They have three children — 6-year-old Odin Reign Carter, 3-year-old Saoirse Reign Carter, and 1-year-old Pearl Carter.
Nick met Lauren through his family in 2009. Angel Carter, Nick’s sister, and his late brother, Aaron, played cupid and demanded that he meet the actress. They met for a movie night at Nick’s house. It was an instant connection between the couple. Five years after they met, they tied the knot and started to build a family of their own.
Three hours into conversing on my balcony overlooking the beach, we saw shooting star after shooting star. We both looked at each other and it got quiet.”
Nick shared with Inside Weddings
The couple also recalled and told PEOPLE how they got engaged. The Backstreet Boys member popped the question in Florida Keys — which they now call the “Engagement Island” — in 2013. He shared how he got down on his knees to show her the seven-carat diamond ring he bought for her from XIV KARATS.
She said, ‘Yes,’ and I’m, like, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ She said, ‘You’re supposed to put it on my finger.’ So I did. I was in shock.”
Nick told PEOPLE
I wasn’t expecting it. It just felt very surreal. We both are just so happy in love right now and on cloud nine.”
Lauren also shared
Aside from their three kids, the couple also shared about going through a miscarriage before they had their third baby.
I was fully set on just having two children and I had prepared for that and made arrangements for that. I didn’t find out I was pregnant [with our third child] till I was about five and a half months pregnant.”
Lauren told PEOPLE
The latest addition to their growing family, their little bundle of joy, Pearl Carter, was indeed a pleasant surprise. She was born on April 21, 2021.
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With everything that 2020 has given to the entire world, I look at it as a blessing.”
Nick added
Nick Carter’s Dating History
Nick Carter had his fair share of romance and flings before he finally settled down. Now, let’s take a look at the pop idol’s long list of relationships in the past.
Debbie LaFave (1994-1996)
Debra Jean Beasley, whose married name is Debbie LaFave, is an eighth-grade teacher. LaFave, who was 23 at that time, dated 14-year-old Nick Carter. Nick admitted to having lost his virginity to her. She was arrested for having sexual encounters with a minor.
Willa Ford (1997-2000)
Nick dated singer Willa Ford from 1997 to 2000. Ford admitted to being in love with Nick until his fame had taken a toll on their romance.
But God, I was madly in love with that boy. Then… Fame. Done. A**hole. Well, not so much an a**hole as flaky. I told him that to his face because we’re friends now.”
Willa Ford shared
Tiffanny Mannik (2000-2001)
Nick Carter and Tiffanny Mannik have dated for less than a year. There is, however, not much information about the relationship.
Sue Bird (2002)
Nick was also linked to basketball player Sue Bird. This was after they attended a red carpet event together. The athlete, however, denied the dating rumor.
I do not date a Backstreet Boy but Nick Carter and I have the same agent and therefore he accompanied me to the ESPY’s. We’re just friends.”
Sue Bird clarified
Paris Hilton (2003-2004)
The singer was in a relationship with American socialite Paris Hilton for less than a year. It was probably Nick’s most talked about romance, not just because both were very popular at that time, but also because it was a short yet messy relationship.
Aside from the cheating issue, there were also allegations of assault against Nick when photos of Paris, with swollen lips and bruised arms, surfaced on the internet. A source — a friend of Paris whose identity was not revealed — told the New York Post that the socialite “suffered abuse at the hands of Carter.”
Nick’s lawyer, however, denied the allegations, claiming that the bruises on the hotel heiress’ arms were caused by an S&M themed photoshoot for Rolling Stone (where she has to use a strap around her arm).
The short-lived relationship was chaotic from the very start which led to the couple’s breakup. It was Nick Carter who first talked about the breakup, telling PEOPLE that their “relationship was totally based on distrust.”
The only comment I’m going to have is that I’m loyal to those who are loyal to me.”
Carter added when asked about the cheating issue
In his book, “Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It”, which was released in 2013, Nick said that the socialite was a bad influence on him.
Paris was the worst person in the world for me to hook up with. [She] fed my worst impulses as far as partying”
The socialite, however, defended herself in an interview with Access Hollywood.
I don’t believe I was a negative influence on Nick, we dated for a very short period of time almost 10 years ago and when we met he was already a successful pop star, I’m pretty sure that was the only thing influencing him at the time.”
Hilton told Access Hollywood
Amidst the chaotic relationship, Nick claimed that he loved her and that she would “have a place in my heart, always”. The pop star actually had her name, “Paris”, tattooed on his wrist.
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Kaya Jones (2004-2005)
Nick also dated Pussycat Dolls’ Kaya Jones for a short while. The relationship must’ve ended in a bad light because Jones slammed the Backstreet Boys member on Twitter years later, following Melissa Schuman‘s sexual assault allegations against him.
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!”
Jones tweeted
Jones must be talking about the alleged abuse she suffered from Robin Antin, Pussycat Dolls’ founder. She said she now understood why her then-boyfriend, Nick, didn’t do anything about the abuse she had to endure at that time.
Julie Bornemann (2006-2007)
The singer also dated actress Julie Bornemann for a brief time. There was little to no known details about the relationship though.
Nick Carter was also rumored to have hooked up with Spanish actress Asun Ortega (2001), American actress Malika (2002), Swedish model Isabelle Filling (2002), singer-songwriter Anastacia (2002), Radio personality Angi Taylor (2002), TV personality Tila Tequila (2003), Nada Veselinovic (2003), actress Alisa Reyes (2003), model Christy Lane (2003), singer Alexandra Bachelier (2003), Ashlee Simpson (2004), Celiece Aurea (2005), American model Brittny Gastineau (2005), Argentinian model Sara Borough (2005), model Tanya Jane (2005), Javine Hylton (2005), Chinese-American actress Bai Ling (2005), model Nikki Chick (2005), Alex Murrel (2005), model Kari Ann Peniche (2005), model and yoga specialist Claire Grieve (2006), Russian model Irina Pushistaya (2006), Haylie Duff (2007), adult model Kim Martin (2007), singer Khierstin Nichole (2007), model Bryttny Scheibe (2007), singer Antonella Barba (2007), Sandy Babe (2007),actress Meredith Weiss (2008), Dutch model Marina Poldervaart (2008), American singer Kristen Kukta (2008), Daiana Ocampo (2008), South Korean-Canadian rapper Alexie Phillips (2008), American singer-songwriter Meghan Kabir (2008), Danish model Christina Uhrenholt (2008), and social media personality Tila Tequila (sometime around 2009 and 2010).
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On Scandals and Accusations
Nick Carter was linked with actress and former member of the 2000s girl group Dream, Melissa Schuman, in 2002. However, the actress revealed years later how the pop idol raped her when she was 18 and still a virgin. She wrote it on her blog and even talked about it in an interview with The Daily Beast.
I didn’t have the money, the clout or access to an attorney who was powerful enough to stand up against my abuser’s legal counsel. I was told I would likely be buried in humiliation, accused of being fame hungry, and it would ultimately hurt me professionally as well as publicly.”
Schuman shared as to why she didn’t press charges against Carter
The music industry has enabled abusers forever. Unless people start to stop supporting these people, it’s never going to change.”
she added
Nick Carter, however, denied the sexual accusation.
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.”
Carter said in a statement released by US Weekly
Is Nick Carter Gay?
No, Nick Carter is not gay. With a very long list of relationships and casual hookups with women, there is no reason to question the pop idol’s sexual preference. He was into women, no doubt. Nick Carter is straight.