The Investigation Discovery docuseries, Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter, explores the controversy surrounding the allegations of sexual assault against Backstreet Boys frontman Nick Carter and the personal battles faced by his late brother Aaron. Aaron, who died in 2022 after struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse, had publicly supported the women who accused his brother of assault.
The four-part series is produced by Michael Hirschorn, who was keen to unpack the dangers of fandom loyalty – especially given that Nick's accusers were sent death threats by his fans when they first came forward. Michael told The Hollywood Reporter, 'We were very much struck by the degree to which, even eight years into #MeToo, so many women are fiercely refusing to believe that anything about their idols could be less than perfect. Add into that what I’d call the "team sports" aspect of social media, and it becomes very difficult to get viewers to see the shades of grey in any controversy.'
He added, 'Especially with Aaron, we want viewers to take internet trolling seriously. It’s not as simple as just getting off social media. Trolling extends into real life in profound and unsettling ways.'
The series follows in the footsteps of Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV, an Investigation Discovery series about the toxic and abusive environment created on the set of Nickelodeon shows in the 1990s. It looks as though Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter unearths some similarly troubling allegations.
What is Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter about?
The series largely examines allegations of sexual assault that three women made against Nick in 2017, all of whom speak in the documentary. However, the series has been accused of leaving viewers with pressing questions about its motivations by The Huffington Post. One being the way in which it points viewers towards 'extensive documents that support his position, provided by his attorneys, at fallenidolsdocumentary.com'.
The man at the centre of the story reportedly declined to take part and has filed a countersuit against each of his accusers.
The documentary also promises to take a deep dive into Nick's relationship with his brother Aaron, who died following complications from substance abuse in 2022 at the age of 34, as well as their wider family. Their two sisters Leslie and Bobbie Jean died also died following complications from substance misuse.
Where can I watch the Fallen Idols documentary?
The series aired in the US on 27 May and 28 May. It is available to watch on Amazon Prime in the UK if you have a Discovery+ subscription.
Is there a trailer?
Who features in the Fallen Idols documentary?
Several people give their testimonies in the documentary, including Aaron's ex-girlfriend Lina Valentina and his ex-fiancé Melanie Martin who he had a child with before he died.
Nick's ex-girlfriend Kaya Jones also features and discusses her public support for Melissa Schuman, who is a former pop star and was the first person to accuse Nick of sexual assault publicly.
Viewers will also hear from the alleged victims, the family members of the alleged victims and journalists including Scaachi Koul, who also appeared on Quiet on Set.
What allegations does Nick Carter face?
One of the allegations the Backstreet Boys singer faces is from Ashley Repp. She accused him of sexual assault when she was 15 and he was 21 and 22 at the time of the two alleged incidents. Ashley claims that Nick 'knowingly provided alcohol and drugs' before he assaulted her 'despite her repeated refusals and requests for him to stop.'
He also faces a law suit from Shannon Ruth, filed in December 2022, claiming that she was sexually assaulted by him after he invited her onto his tour bus after a Backstreet Boys show in Washington. Ruth is autistic and has cerebral palsy and claims Nick gave her an alcoholic drink he called 'VIP Juice' before insisting she perform oral sex. In court documents, it is then alleged that he raped her and she later contracted HPV.
In April last year, Melissa Schuman also filed a lawsuit against the singer, accusing him of sexual assault and battery. She claims he used 'his role, status, and power as a well-known singer to gain access to, groom, manipulate, exploit, and sexually assault'.
What has Nick Carter said about the Fallen Idols documentary?
Nick has denied multiple sexual assault allegations outlined in the series. A statement from Nick's attorney given to the Los Angeles Times reads: 'These are exactly the same outrageous claims that led us to sue this gang of conspirators. Those cases are working their way through the legal system now, and, based on both the initial court rulings and the overwhelming evidence, we have every belief that we will prevail and hold them accountable for spreading these falsehoods.'