Nick Carter has responded to rape allegations by singer Melissa Schuman, saying that he’s “shocked and saddened” by the account.
Yesterday, Schuman published a blog post detailing how the Backstreet Boy allegedly forced himself on her in 2004, when she was 18-years-old.
She describes how he allegedly performed oral sex on her against her will, and then forced her to do the same to him, before taking her to a bedroom.
“Again, I told him that I was a virgin and I didn’t want to have sex. I told him that I was saving myself for my future husband. I said it over and over again. He whispered in my ear as to entice me, ‘I could be your husband.’
“He was relentless, refusing to take my no’s for an answer. He was heavy, too heavy to get out from under him.”
Carter has now responded to the allegations, denying that anything was ever non-consensual.
“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.”
Schuman addressed the duet in the blog post, writing that she felt trapped into performing the duet live with her alleged abuser, and wondering if Carter’s influence was the reason things never moved forward with the song.
“I could tell by his tone that he was no longer interested in working for me and I couldn’t help but wonder if Nick had any influence in it.”
Schuman isn’t the only person to accuse Carter of rape. She says that she only came forward after RadarOnline published a report about an anonymous woman also alleging rape.
After her blog post yesterday, Schuman tweeted a message of thanks to everyone who had supported her.
I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Thank you for bearing witness to my story. Thank you for providing me a safe place to be open and vulnerable. I love you all. Thank you for aiding me in the healing that I so desperately needed. I am free now.
— MelissaSchuman (@MelissaSchuman) November 21, 2017
If you would like to speak to a counsellor about sexual harassment or assault, call the people over at 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support.
