Nick Carter Opens Up About ‘Tough’ Backstreet Boys Concert After Brother Aaron’s Death: ‘Very Emotional’

03.12.2022 - 20:25 / usmagazine.com

One day after Aaron Carter’s death, older brother Nick Carter performed with the Backstreet Boys during their scheduled London concert.

“It was very emotional for me, having my guys with me. That night, it was tough to get up on stage,” Nick, 42, told Extra on Friday, December 2, of the November 6 performance. “There’s the old saying the show must go on, that’s been with us for years, but that night, I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know what was going to come from it, getting on that stage.”

The Backstreet Boys — which Nick has been a member of since the 1990s — had been touring in Europe last month when news broke that Aaron had died. The “I Want Candy” performer — who grew up touring with the band as their opening act — had been found dead in his California residence on November 5.

“My heart has been broken today. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded,” the Boy Band mentor captioned an Instagram tribute to his late brother one day later. “I have always held onto the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed.”

He continued at the time: “Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss. But the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here. I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz, now you get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth. … God, Please take care of my baby brother.”

Several hours later, Nick and his boy band pals — Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough — dedicated their U.K. concert to the late rapper.

“[The song ‘No Place’] is very special to us