Former Dream Singer Melissa Schuman Files Lawsuit Against Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter for Sexual Assault and Battery
Former Dream singer Melissa Schuman has filed a lawsuit against Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, alleging sexual assault and battery.[0] Schuman claims that in 2003, when she was 18 and Carter was 22, he forcibly performed oral sex on her before forcing her to reciprocate and then taking her virginity without her consent.[1] Carter has vigorously denied the allegations, with his attorney calling the lawsuit a “PR stunt”. Schuman previously accused Carter of sexual assault in 2017, but Los Angeles prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges due to the statute of limitations.[2] However, a California law that went into effect earlier this year revived sexual assault claims and extended the statute of limitations for reporting them.[3]
Carter has been involved in sexual assault cases prior to this one. He was also accused by Shannon Ruth of assaulting her on a tour bus. Despite the allegations, Carter has refused to admit any wrongdoing and has filed lawsuits against Schuman and Ruth, seeking millions of dollars in damages. He asserts that they have attempted to extort money from him for an extended period of time.[4]
Schuman's lawsuit also alleges that Carter continued to “manipulate and torment” her after the alleged assault, repeatedly attempting to contact her by phone.[5] It was speculated by Schuman that Carter could have played a role in obstructing her solo career, as they were both being managed by Kenneth Crear during that period.[6] Schuman wrote in her blog post that she discerned from his tone that he had lost interest in working for her, and she couldn't help but speculate whether Nick had played a role in it.[6]
Carter has also faced sexual battery allegations from Shannon Ruth, who sued him in December 2020 alleging that he assaulted her on a tour bus in 2001 when she was 17.[7] The lawsuit also named three other women who had been sexually assaulted by Carter and claimed that he called Ruth autistic and ableist slurs.[8] Carter filed a countersuit against Ruth for $2.35 million in lost revenue as a result of the allegations.[8]
Schuman said in a statement that she is fighting to make the music industry a safer place to work and perform. “It’s time that powerful figures in the music industry get the message that they can no longer afford to enable and protect sexual predators,” she said.[1] “I’ve faced extraordinary backlash for standing up for myself; I am not the first, however my intention is that I am the last.”[9]
Carter's attorney, Liane K. Wakayama, has denied Schuman's accusations, stating that “her allegation was false when she first made it back in 2017 – and it still is.” Wakayama accused Schuman of “plotting to damage, defame and extort” Carter and called the lawsuit “both predictable and pathetic”.[10]
0. “Nick Carter Sued for Sexual Assault and Battery by Dream's Melissa Schuman” AOL, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.aol.com/nick-carter-sued-sexual-assault-164644997.html
1. “Who is Brandon Henschel, Melissa Schuman’s husband?” Opoyi, 12 Apr. 2023, https://opoyi.com/entertainment/who-is-brandon-henschel-melissa-schumans-husband/
2. “Dream singer Melissa Schuman sues Nick Carter, alleging sexual assault” Brunswick News, 12 Apr. 2023, https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/national_news/dream-singer-melissa-schuman-sues-nick-carter-alleging-sexual-assault/article_f110a947-0137-5843-95a4-b1dc22a565c3.html
3. “Nick Carter Sued For Sexual Assault, Battery By Dream Singer” OK!, 12 Apr. 2023, https://okmagazine.com/p/nick-carter-sued-sexual-assault-battery-dream-singer-melissa-schuman
4. “Nick Carter's attorney fires back at Melissa Schuman's assault case” ClutchPoints, 12 Apr. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/nick-carters-attorney-fires-back-at-melissa-schumans-assault-case
5. “Nick Carter Named In Sexual Assault Lawsuit After California Extends Statute Of Limitations” HuffPost, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nick-carter-sexual-assault-lawsuit-melissa-schuman_n_64368129e4b0a9d64e7b163e
6. “Nick Carter Sued Over Sexual Assault and Battery” Papermag, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.papermag.com/nick-carter-sexual-assualt-lawsuit-2659844168.html
7. “Nick Carter Sued For Sexual Assault, Battery By Singer Melissa Schuman” TMZ, 11 Apr. 2023, https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/11/nick-carter-sued-sexual-assault-battery-singer-melissa-schuman-backstreet-boys/
8. “Nick Carter Sued for Sexual Assault and Battery” Vulture, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.vulture.com/2023/04/nick-carter-sexual-assault-lawsuit-melissa-schuman.html
9. “Nick Carter sued for sexual assault and battery by singer Melissa Schuman” Newshub, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2023/04/nick-carter-sued-for-sexual-assault-and-battery-by-singer-melissa-schuman.html
10. “Nick Carter Accused of Sexual Assault by Former Member of Pop Group Dream in Lawsuit” Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/backstreet-boys-nick-carter-accused-sexual-assault-lawsuit-1235372222/
