A very backstreet holiday, The upcoming Christmas special starring the Backstreet Boys has been scrapped by ABC, according to ABC meeting. The cancellation comes just a day after Nick Carter, a lead singer with the group, was accused of raping a teenager after one of the band’s concerts in 2001.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth held a news conference Thursday (December 8) in which she claimed Carter took her to his tour bus after a show in Tacoma, WA, where she claims he gave her “VIP juice.” given before he sexually assaulted her. At the time of the alleged incident, Ruth, who is also autistic and has cerebral palsy, was 17.
“The last 21 years have been filled with pain, confusion, frustration, shame and self-harm that are a direct result of Nick Carter raping me,” Ruth claimed at the press conference, per page six.
She added, “Although I am autistic and living with cerebral palsy, I believe nothing has affected me more or had a more lasting impact on my life than what Nick Carter did and said to me.”
Ruth further claimed Carter called her a “re****ed bitch” and left bruises on her arm after grabbing her. She said she hadn’t reached out beforehand because the singer was “threatening” and claimed he told her he had “the power to destroy my life.” Ruth said she ultimately chose to speak out to stop Carter from “attacking more teenagers and women.”
Michael Holtz, an attorney for Carter, released a statement denying the allegations.
“Unfortunately, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations against Nick for several years, and those allegations have repeated and materially changed over time,” he said per meeting. “No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer. There is no truth to this claim and we have no doubt the courts will be quick to recognize it.”
As a result of the controversy, ABC canceled the special in which the Backstreet Boys were supposed to sing songs from their new Christmas album as well as their classics. It was scheduled to air on December 14, followed by an encore on December 20.
The allegations also come just weeks after the death of Carter’s brother, Aaron Carter found dead in his apartment Beginning of November.
If you or someone you know needs to report sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24 hours a day at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org.