Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys has been accused of raping a member of the group Dream in 2002.
Melissa Schuman, who was a member of Dream from 1998 to 2002 and again since 2015, wrote in her online blog about the incident describing, in detail, the night that the alleged attack happened. She was 18 at the time and Carter was 22 with both working on a TV movie.
Schuman also addressed why she never came forward over the next fifteen years, explaining that she was advised against it by management who said that her attacker had one of the biggest lawyer in L.A. and that it would be very difficult to win a case.
It took until the Harvey Weinstein stories started breaking and an article in Radar OnLine exposed another possible incident with Carter that Melissa decided to come forward. She stated “I feel I have an obligation now to come forward with the hope and intention to inspire and encourage other victims to tell their story. We are stronger in numbers. If you are reading this and you have been assaulted, know you don’t have to be silent and you are not alone. I know it’s scary. I’m scared.”
Carter has issued a statement about the allegation, saying “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.”
