The pop star who chose a boy band over a Disney contract
In short: At age 12, Nick Carter faced a life-altering decision: a $50,000 contract with Disney's The Mickey Mouse Club or a new musical group. He chose the latter, eventually becoming the youngest member of the Backstreet Boys and a global pop icon.
Born in Jamestown, New York, in 1980, Carter's path to stardom was shaped by a turbulent childhood and a move to Florida when he was four. After experiencing bullying and conflict at home, he transitioned to homeschooling. His musical education commenced at a young age through vocal instruction from Marianne Prinkey, followed by diverse dance training at Karl and DiMarco's School of Theatre and Dance at age 10. His early training included ballet, tap, and hip hop. He also performed at the Florida State Fair and various local talent shows.
Carter's career is defined by his tenure with the Backstreet Boys, a group he helped form on April 20, 1993, at just 13 years old. While the group achieved massive success, Carter maintained a prolific solo career during their breaks. His debut solo effort, Now or Never, was released in October 2002 and reached number 17 on the Billboard 200, selling over 500,000 copies in its first week. He has since released several other solo projects, including I'm Taking Off in 2011 and All American in 2015. He also collaborated with Jordan Knight on the duet album Nick & Knight. Additionally, he released a single titled Superman to honour his family.
Beyond the music, Carter has navigated intense media scrutiny, including a highly publicized 'rivalry' with Justin Timberlake. In 2002, he was voted the 'Sexiest Man in the World' by Cosmogirl readers, beating out Timberlake and Brad Pitt. More recently, he has found success in television, earning a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award in June 2024 for his work on the song 'Happy Xmas (Cancer's Over)' alongside Mitch Koulouris. His recent musical work includes the 2025 album Searchlight. He also performed on the set of the film Edward Scissorhands as a child.
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