A former ’90s and early 2000s teen pop culture sensation has passed away.
Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Backstreet Boys frontman Nick Carter, was found dead inside his California home Saturday morning. He was 34.
The younger Carter came onto the entertainment scene in the late 1990s and was just 9 years old when he released his first, self-titled studio album. Over the next several years, songs like Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), I Want Candy, and That’s How I Beat Shaq topped the charts thanks to his tween and teen following.
The singer later toured with his brother’s wildly popular boy band, acted in several Nickelodeon shows, and dated fellow teen-sensations Hillary Duff and Lindsay Lohan. More recently, he appeared on Dancing With the Stars and on Seussical on Broadway.
But in the years following his burst of stardom as a teenager, Carter struggled mightily with his health.
He spent time in rehab for drug addiction and was arrested several times. The Carter family has had painful public struggles too; Aaron’s sister Leslie Carter died of an overdose at age 25, and other sibling relationships—including the one between Aaron and Nick—were strained.
Millennials will undoubtedly remember Aaron Carter as the Justin Bieber of their time, and his passing marks the end of another little piece of their childhood.
RIP Aaron Carter
You changed pop culture forever ♥️🙏 pic.twitter.com/BKOiUAz8mn
— Carrie Jordan (@carrie__jordan) November 5, 2022
It's been 21 YEARS since the Aaron Carter episode of Lizzie McGuire aired pic.twitter.com/vaaTzQ7uQQ
— Lizzie McGuire (@ImLizzieM) November 3, 2022
Aaron Carter posters from 2000’s teen magazines 💔 pic.twitter.com/pYrRPxMUzg
— Y2K MAGAZINES (@y2kmagazines) November 5, 2022
We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter. Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rDUcE4i8Iy
— New Kids on the Block (@NKOTB) November 5, 2022
Carter leaves behind an 11-month-old son, Prince. Rest in peace, Aaron.