Nick Carter denies raping underage autistic fan, says his claims are a 'press stunt'
Nick Carter denies raping underage autistic fan, says his claims are a 'press stunt'
Nick Carter, 42, denied sexually assaulting an autistic fan after inviting her on the Backstreet Boys tour bus in 2001. "This claim about an incident that allegedly took place over 20 years ago is not only without legal basis, but also entirely false," Nick's attorney, Michael Holtz, said in a statement obtained by HollywoodLife on Thursday, Dec. 8. "Unfortunately, for several years now Mrs. Ruth is being manipulated into making false allegations about Nick - and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time."
Learn more about Nick Carter
He continued: "No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer - there is nothing to that claim, which we have no doubt that the courts will find out quickly.” The woman, whose full name is Shannon “Shay” Ruth and who has cerebral palsy and autism, revealed her sexual assault lawsuit against Nick at a press conference on December 8. The now 39-year-old alleged that Nick gave her what she believed to be an alcoholic drink he called "VIP juice" when she was 17, then asked her for oral sex. claimed the original incident happened in the bathroom of the tour bus and then they went to bed.
Shannon 'Shay ' Ruth revealed her lawsuit against Nick Carter on Thursday December 8, 2022 (Photo: Broadimage/Shutterstock)
"The past 21 years have been filled with pain, confusion, frustration, shame and self-harm that are a direct result of Nick Carter's rape," she said with tears in her eyes, as seen in the clip below. "Even though I have autism and live with paralysis cerebral, I believe that nothing has affected me more or had a more lasting impact on my life than what Nick Carter did and told me. After he raped me, I remember him calling me a "re-ed bitch" and grabbing me and leaving bruises on my arm."
Later during her emotional speech, Shay claimed that she had been silent for so long because Nick allegedly used scary tactics to silence her and that she thought that she could be sent to prison for speaking out. "Carter tried to shut me up...he was mean and threatening," she said. She said her reason for coming forward was to "stop 'Nick' from molesting more teenagers and women", and so he can be held "accountable".
Hot Items Currently
trendy now
Shay also claimed to have contracted HPV, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), after the alleged rape and is seeking damages. According to Shay's attorney, three other women filed a lawsuit alongside Shay, but did not reveal their identities.
The lawsuit against the 'I Want It That Way' hitmaker comes just a month after the sudden death of his younger brother, Aaron Carter, at the age of 34. Nick opened up for the first time about his heartbreak and going on stage with his bandmates a day after Aaron's death in an interview posted Dec. 2. “It was very emotional for me to have my guys with me. That evening, it was difficult to get on stage,” he recalls.
Nick Carter, 42, denied sexually assaulting an autistic fan after inviting her on the Backstreet Boys tour bus in 2001. "This claim about an incident that allegedly took place over 20 years ago is not only without legal basis, but also entirely false," Nick's attorney, Michael Holtz, said in a statement obtained by HollywoodLife on Thursday, Dec. 8. "Unfortunately, for several years now Mrs. Ruth is being manipulated into making false allegations about Nick - and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time."
Learn more about Nick Carter
He continued: "No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer - there is nothing to that claim, which we have no doubt that the courts will find out quickly.” The woman, whose full name is Shannon “Shay” Ruth and who has cerebral palsy and autism, revealed her sexual assault lawsuit against Nick at a press conference on December 8. The now 39-year-old alleged that Nick gave her what she believed to be an alcoholic drink he called "VIP juice" when she was 17, then asked her for oral sex. claimed the original incident happened in the bathroom of the tour bus and then they went to bed.
Shannon 'Shay ' Ruth revealed her lawsuit against Nick Carter on Thursday December 8, 2022 (Photo: Broadimage/Shutterstock)
"The past 21 years have been filled with pain, confusion, frustration, shame and self-harm that are a direct result of Nick Carter's rape," she said with tears in her eyes, as seen in the clip below. "Even though I have autism and live with paralysis cerebral, I believe that nothing has affected me more or had a more lasting impact on my life than what Nick Carter did and told me. After he raped me, I remember him calling me a "re-ed bitch" and grabbing me and leaving bruises on my arm."
Later during her emotional speech, Shay claimed that she had been silent for so long because Nick allegedly used scary tactics to silence her and that she thought that she could be sent to prison for speaking out. "Carter tried to shut me up...he was mean and threatening," she said. She said her reason for coming forward was to "stop 'Nick' from molesting more teenagers and women", and so he can be held "accountable".
Hot Items Currently
trendy now
Shay also claimed to have contracted HPV, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), after the alleged rape and is seeking damages. According to Shay's attorney, three other women filed a lawsuit alongside Shay, but did not reveal their identities.
The lawsuit against the 'I Want It That Way' hitmaker comes just a month after the sudden death of his younger brother, Aaron Carter, at the age of 34. Nick opened up for the first time about his heartbreak and going on stage with his bandmates a day after Aaron's death in an interview posted Dec. 2. “It was very emotional for me to have my guys with me. That evening, it was difficult to get on stage,” he recalls.
Shannon 'Shay ' Ruth revealed her lawsuit against Nick Carter on Thursday December 8, 2022 (Photo: Broadimage/Shutterstock)
