They Actually Raised Me: AJ McLean and Nick Carter on Growing Up in the Band

They Actually Raised Me: AJ McLean and Nick Carter on Growing Up in the Band
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Backstreet Boys AJ McLean and Nick Carter discuss the band's support during difficult times.
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[@cprw10]

Yes Brian was his legal guardian on one tour but unfortunately the only one who could really keept Nick in line was Kevin. I read this the other day: "Kevin is our hero, really. He’s been doing it since the group ever formed. He might be the youngest to his own older brothers, but in Backstreet - he’s the big brother. He’s been taking the group in every he could since it formed. He’s the reason why AJ went to rehab back in 2001. Remember when Paris Hilton was trying to ruin Nick? Kevin flat out told her to quit messing with his baby bro before he started laying her secrets bare. Not to mention, Kevin’s the one who gave Nick the book that later inspired him to turn his life around. Kevin is the mediator and the big protector…and it gives us warm fuzzies every time we think about it." "And he can keep Nick in line. Which is pretty impressive for anyone to accomplish"

[@TheLadylaura88]

cprw10 kevin is an angel i love them and i love kevim Too much

[@cprw10]

Laura Rojas G. Me too I love them👌😊 and you are right Kevin is an angel I love him too much too 😉 ♥He is my favorite😍♥

[@rosajessica7405]

When did Kevin told Paris that?

[@cprw10]

See this link, she then spoke bad about Nick but they were not together anymore and I remember it was because Kevin intervin because he was mad at her for what she was doing to Nick, so that gave Nick time away from her and he started to get better with time. Sorry for m bad english www.mtv.com/news/1502399/for-the-record-quick-news-on-paris-hilton-and-nick-carter-ciara-young-buck-50-cent-blink-182-more/

[@oxEmyxo]

I'm glad you mentioned the AJ rehab part. Some people turn their backs and give up on addicts, thinking someone else will take care of them. But not Kevin. The fact that he broke a door to get to AJ shows he does care.

[@nadz_yt]

Aww it was sweet that Brian was Nick's legal guardian in the past. These 5 guys are truly a family

[@norheranimoning9964]

AwwitwassweetthatBrianwas💚

[@norheranimoning9964]

AwwitwassweetthtBrianwasNick'slegalioplki💗

[@nadinewiezi]

No wonder younger nick always follow him whenever they go and many time they even use and wear same clothes or jacket.

[@amylee8969]

@nadz_yt I’ve always admired how close these guys became. These boys have treated and looked out for Nick like family even more than his own family.

[@stephfahey1101]

this is why I love the Backstreet Boys so much.... they really do love and respect one another like brothers. Like Brian being Nick's legal guardian when he himself was very young???

[@sosalola]

Brian was Nick's legal guardian? He was only 18 when he joined the Backstreet Boys. He's so admirable

[@sunseyaki9704]

+sosalola I know! I was just thinking "Awwwwww, Brian is so good to Nick and such a good person for doing that for him!" This is the coolest thing I've ever heard.

[@sjk6101983]

sosalola that's so sweet!!!

[@xrishanx]

That is admirable but saddening at the same time. 18 is still a kid, and for Nick's parents to just..

[@amylee8969]

That’s nice to know. That means Brian was a parental figure to someone at a very young age. Nick and Aj were the only teenagers in the group while the others were already in their 20s.

[@tauruslibra83]

I would agree to everyone here. But what i love the most about BSB is that they treat each other as a family, be there for each other with anybody of the group needed it. The genuine love, importance and care for each other. That what keeps me to be a fan to them all through the years. And its hard to fine now a days

[@gabriellasimpson5524]

tauruslibra83 just to add on to this, I think that the fact that they do treat each other like family, is the main reason why they've lasted so long together. it's hard to find a group of people that you can connect with on the level that they connect with each other. it's an extremely special bond they have. and they extend that bond to their fans. All the shows, and the cruises. They way they treat everyone like it's just one big family is the reason why bsb fans are extremely loyal to them. I know that it's the reason why I love them so much.

[@amylee8969]

Me too. It’s very heartwarming. It’s this kind of love and humbleness we need in this world. In the fame industry, money and nice clothes are nice. But humbleness and kindness goes a long way.

[@notforone]

Nick was so teary in that episode. And Brian kept cracking little jokes to lighten up the mood. Aww.

[@rafeatulkoris1889]

Maha which episode?

[@Lamia_IssaEgypt]

Isn’t it ironic that Nick is the oldest of his siblings but the youngest of the group, and Kevin is the youngest of his siblings but the oldest of the group .. and while Nick was taking the parent role in his family and suffered a lot, he had the guys to take care of him and nurture him, and while kevin had his older family to take care of him and nurture him, this taught him how to take care of the guys and be the most responsible one! ❤️❤️❤️ That’s why BSB are family, God put them in each other’s paths for a reason ... and in our paths for the most beautiful reasons ❤️❤️❤️

[@nadinewiezi]

Yes. They have good chemistry and the relationship between them is not only for job business

[@Gabreya]

I agree. I truely believe that if it hadn't been for Brian, Kevin and Howie, AJ and Nick would've been lost, doomed souls.

[@reneelouiseazzopardi2073]

Sadly, I agree

[@nadinewiezi]

Agree

[@TheBRATTYrosi]

I’m tearing up when Nick said then raised him, his family, without the drugs is similar to mine, we just choose to not speak so it’s no longer dysfunctional, I couldn’t imagine fame and fortune being involved, glad he’s gotten better in time....

[@ThePrincessziah1]

Most people don't know that unless they've read Backstreet Mom written by Denise McLean (AJ's Mom). It's very sad but at least he got to be a big brother to Nick.

[@Goldengurl85]

wow! thanks to brian, kevin and Howie for not giving up on nick cuz he has become a wonderful person and a.j so proud of him. they have gone through so much anf are still standing strong! thank you guys for giving us who u really are and wonderful music along the way! love!

[@nikkijen8138]

Brian was nicks legal guardian for awhile, its a sad thing and good thing, cause even tho his best friends had to raise him he shares a unbreakable bond with the boys and mostly with brian

[@sminno]

I'm glad BSB had each other through the early years. I remember Brian saying in another interview He was the ONLY dad in the group for a long time. Finding out Brian was Nick's guardian all makes sense now. As crazy as it sounds, that experience helped make Brian become the best father later down the line.

[@xrishanx]

Was he referring to the guardianship when he said that? I thought he meant as an actual biological father

[@sminno]

@@xrishanx yes the guardianship of Nick at that time

[@sanash96]

A bunch of ppl have commented that It’s sad that Brian had to be Nick’s guardian, but think about it... By law Nick needed a parent or guardian to tour and do basically anything... sign paperwork, take him overseas, etc. if his parents had to take care of the other children and provide for them, he had to have someone...

[@geekista]

That's a good point ..

[@dchang11]

geekista during Ryan Gosling’s days with the Mickey Mouse Club, he stayed with the Timberlake family because his mother had to stay in Canada to support the family. It was common in Orlando at the time.

[@xrishanx]

I think it's sad cause they did it just to get rid of him, more than because of the paperwork and stuff

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

Brian was pretty young too though,Kevin is the oldest one

[@madisonthorne4181]

Except it had nothing to do with that, because Nick Sister’s have also talked about that era and mentioned that their parents were never around to provide for them & didn’t give a crap about what they were doing (only their grandparents were, when Nick wasn’t around). So more like they tossed Nick aside to get rid of him & to ditch any responsibility that they could. His situation isn’t even close to Ryan Goslings during the MMC Days (despite how common it was in Orlando at the time).

[@carolinah86]

I knew that about Nick and AJ and Brian being like a guardian of some sorts. I always felt like these guys were brought together by God. Everything about them fits so perfectly. They are so different yet the differences blend to make a complete and extremely beautiful group!!!

[@Mish4Mello]

Carol Nyambura Ng'ang'a I truly believe they were destined to be together. what makes it even more uncanny is that Brian was supposedly to die because of his heart condition when Nick was born. Fate led them to one another and that is why they as a group have survived the test of time. 🙏🏽

[@melissamurray8307]

Amen, God knew what he was doing when he brought the five together.

[@reneelouiseazzopardi2073]

@@melissamurray8307 AMEN!

[@amylee8969]

@carolinah86 I always thought that was Kevin being a guardian, since he’s the oldest. But it’s nice to hear it from Brian too. All 5 of the boys seemed to have gone through their own problem's in life, none of them had it easy. But it’s nice to know they all supported each other unconditionally.

[@Gabreya]

I surely will read it. I remember first watching that Oprah episode when I was 12 years old and even then, I felt the emotion and love the Boys have for AJ. I knew then that BSB are one of the very few bands that actually care about eachother and you can see their bond is unbreakable. :,-)

[@ForeverSweetx3]

I love Brian. He was young himself and yet he wanted to do eat he could for a younger friend. Awesomeness.

[@rosajessica7405]

Did u put “eat”?

[@TheLadylaura88]

Yes they are a beautiful brother, they are more than a boyband they are a family is amazing i love them so much

[@LauraRyan2007]

Brian was Nick's legal guardian? Wow! I never knew that. And I thought I knew everything about my Boys. :-D

[@xrishanx]

I think Nick said even he didn't know that himself, Brian told him if I heard correctly

[@ThePrincessziah1]

It's a good book you should read it. I remember watching that Oprah episode. I cried watching it almost the whole time. It was so sweet of the rest of BSB to show up and surprise AJ.

[@ashli674]

The fact that Nick's parents literally just tossed custody of their son to an 18 year old kid makes me want to puke. No wonder Nick hates them.

[@TheLadylaura88]

ashli674 i agree with you i cant believe

[@dchang11]

Laura Rojas G. Nick came from a hard scrabble childhood. His parents had four other kids to feed. BSB toured high schools on a broken down crew bus. Someone had to take over since he was a minor. The family ripped apart when Nick and Aaron became the cash cow. Justin Timberlake’s mother was Ryan Gosling’s guardian during their days with the Mickey Mouse Club. His mother had to stay in Canada for work reasons. It was pretty common in Orlando at the time.

[@glitzgarcia8281]

Poor nick hes rlly suffered but BSB rlly saved his life. And yes its disgusting cuz at 18 ur still a kid even though ur legally an adult but im glad brian took the stand to b his guardian

[@calandrawoodman9396]

All Nicks parents cared about was how much money they could make out of their kids

[@rosajessica7405]

David C wow. I never saw MMC bc I wasn’t born yet but I didn’t knew that

[@Gabreya]

I've heard about Denise's book from watching the Oprah Winfrey episode where AJ was on there talking about his struggles with drugs and she was there with him, and the Boys showed up to support him. I've never read it but I always was interested in it. Wow. Poor Denise and AJ. :-( And yes, at least he has brothers in Kevin, Howie and Brian, and be a big brother to Nick.

[@SillyKoala]

I wish I could watch the full episode!!

[@saraikusheykuria1636]

I love you BSB.....all the way from Nairobi, Kenya.

[@HeathsHarleyQuinn]

It's soo lucky that they had Kevin, Howie, and Brian, and its wonderful that they took them under their wings. The sad part is that they shouldn't have had to. No 18 year old should *have* to be the guardian of a 12 year old. These young men did more than Nick's parents and that fact that that's the case is the true shame. Bless BSB.

[@ThatBrunetteFromCali]

Few things: Nicks parents were so money hungry & such narcissistic abusers that they just tossed him away to go make money. Kevin literally saved AJ & Nicks lives. He led the guys intervention for AJ to get help, and even helped nick see the light that Paris would have literally killed him if he kept partying. Kevin is more than the dad of this group, he’s literally the guardian angel. Also, we need to thank Brians wife Leighanne for something big. She was the one that convinced Brian to get the first heart surgery that pretty much saved his life. I don’t think Brian would be alive if he didn’t do it.

[@ritarabaa8338]

Bravo Brian good person i love you

[@haleyferguson1642]

My daddy is the only genuinely good person I know. These guys are lucky to have each other.

[@carolinah86]

Yes, me and my brothers too. BTW, my brothers are real cool, manly men with that 'macho' thing going on. But even they agree, that BSB were a different kind of boyband that put music first above everything else like looks, girls, glitz & glamor, style, coolness, money and fame. I have also heard many guys say that these guys inspired them to sing. That is beautiful. They are an inspiration to both men and women alike because of the bond they share! That is what keeps me coming back!

[@nehemiahnaga3135]

We the BSB fans from around the world since day one are also your family.

[@one.twentythree]

I think the only one sane in that family is Aaron's twin. Everyone else including their mother has a dysfunctional behavior. Thank God Nick met the BSB's and his wife. They literally were the ones who made him change his life to become better.

[@nadinewiezi]

And nick steps to aaron's twin(angel) to keep in line

[@TwilightEspeon]

AJ and Nick are also the youngest while the rest were older. Keep that in mind as to why it's a danger to put kids in the industry so young.

[@amylee8969]

That explains why they both suffered the most during their career while the other 3 managed to avoid that. Teens are mentally still developing and are very prone to peer pressure and whatnot. Even at 18, you’re mentality is still young. Most 18 year olds are still finishing up their last year of high school and haven’t yet been exposed to the reality of adulthood.

[@zig_zag46]

I can't believe Aaron is trying to ruin Nick's life. The fact that Nick managed to overcome his demons just shows he is a changed man.

[@amylee8969]

@zig_zag46 Well Aaron is dead now and I genuinely felt sorry for the poor kid. He was unfairly criticized by the media from a young age and no one gave him a break. I also feel bad for Nick knowing that he really wanted to have a better relationship with his brother but it never happened.

[@ThePrincessziah1]

Very true

[@forevermystic1212]

I’m grateful for Brian being Nick’s legal guardian when his family doesn’t want him anymore. I’m thankful to Kevin for saving Nick’s life in his lowest time. I hope Nick feels better now.

[@amylee8969]

Knowing that makes me appreciate and respect Brian and Kevin a lot more. When people hear Backstreet Boys, they love to talk about and praise Nick as their favorite (rightfully! He’s awesome). But many don’t realize how humble and sweet the remaining 4 are not just to each other but to their fans. I recently purchased their 30 anniversary book and read a story about a fan tearfully talking to Howie about a loved one passing away. And Howie reaches out to hug her tightly to cheer her up. Let’s not forget about Nick break down in tears on stage after Aaron died and Aj and later the other boys rushing over to hug him.

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

My favorites have always been Kevin and Brian and not just because of how much they’ve helped AJ and Nick

[@kathybelyeaoneofmyfavorite1942]

I love youNickXX so so much

[@ThePrincessziah1]

For sure.

[@MarisolGonzalez-cd2nh]

R.I.P. Larry King .

[@Gabreya]

ABSOLUTELY!!! :-)

[@sarawinardi6745]

Also, from what I read, it was Kevin that did an intervention on AJ

[@christinegonzales1204]

Your so adorable and handsome man AJ I love you so very much ❤

[@Lamia_IssaEgypt]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Mish4Mello]

Well, it's his choice whether he wants to share those things or not. I'm sure there are some other things he keeps private. I mean, everyone pretty much knows his family situation because of the reality show he did a few years back, so it's not really private anymore. It's sad hearing him talk about it though.

[@jjjjjj192]

Wow

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

Nick’s younger brother was put on the spotlight at a young age too ,he said that his parents would force him to do multiple music videos in a day just to get money

[@Kocoq]

can't agree more!! it was fate

[@Gabreya]

Really? Aww. I didn't know that. I'm sorry that happened to him and hais family. I bet he would've made a great big brother. :,-( Well, he at least still has the Boys as 'siblings' in a way.

[@meeradseckdiouman5173]

Hi...💌☑️thank you

[@ThePrincessziah1]

AJ would've been an older brother of two twin sisters but they were stillborn.

[@lydcampy]

That's very uplifting thank you for sharing

[@cassandraakinde456]

BSB♥

[@nendensy]

I love this family name BSB ..

[@nadinewiezi]

Since beginning howie is closer to aj, nick was closer to brian he teach nick many thing, while kevin is like their big bro their dad who keep the guys in line

[@jacobely962]

WOAH, I didn't know that Brian was Nick's mom for a while!

[@amylee8969]

Me neither. It’s heartwarming but sad at the same time. Nick’s parents handed their then teenage son to a young man in his early 20s and neglect their responsibilities as parents. Makes me wonder who the hell was taking care of Aaron?

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

When Brian was Nicks legal guardian he was not even 20 yet,he became his guardian at the age of 18 ,when Nick joined at 12 years old

[@LovelyAbdi76]

Where can we get the book? Do they have it on e-book??

[@kirstenovenden6081]

AbdiLovely Kania book depository or fishpond books

[@rosajessica7405]

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc

[@carrihunt8901]

Hi misty I like or music videos fun too I love your picture on see you next at the bacrteeboys I love you very much please picture

[@robertaeellis7644]

i think after angel died. the carter household just got real bad after that. but i think now that nicks kid was born. i think his family have come around full circle again, only it took alot longer. esp w houseofcarter. i prefer iluvnickcarter better. its no wonder nowadays, ive seen aaron not so close w nick anymore like they used to when they were younger. the carters were all estranged, even more so when houseofcarter came out w their reality tv show. omg! but iluvnickcarter is a whole better, bc lauren made him the best person nick has ever been since they have their own little baby now. nick has never been more happier, he got married, hes now a dad. but hes still kinda distant from his family and he has every right to still be, esp since his parents just let a 13y/o nick b raised by an 18y/o brian. all bc nicks parents were getting divorced, not only that around 97" aaron was starting out and BSB opened for him. altho, nick now h8s hearing the songs he did w aaron. which is kinda sad knowing abt, but overall. i think, nick is doing good,now he's finally in his 30s.

[@robertaeellis7644]

***** yea sorry, i cudnt edit the post. thats who i meant. angel is aarons twin. i mean IAWLT album was delayed esp the tour bc of leslies death, even tho nick didnt go to her funeral. it really broke nick. but im happy hes doing ok now, he has lauren and baby odin. hes so adorable he is. hed be almost a year old soon.

[@toriham687]

NerdyBurd Recaps iii

[@daniellemartin2082]

NerdyBurd Recaps that was leslie

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

Leslie died young ,Angel is still alive

[@saraikusheykuria1636]

Apart from Brian being Nick's guardian... They have never fought..... I Love you Brian....

[@ietefiet]

Sarai kushey Kuria Yes they did and probably still do from time to time, but just like in every family that's not less than normal. You have to love hard and fight hard to last this long. ❤️

[@LoyaFrostwind]

Who was AJ's guardian? Wasn't he the next youngest in the group? Nick & AJ started in their early teens.

[@kirstenovenden6081]

AJ is 2 years older than Nick born in 1978 where as Nick was born in 1980

[@kirstenovenden6081]

His mother Denise

[@javierasalgadoreyes]

Aj had his mother Denise with him ,for him it was easier to have her since he’s her only son

[@madisonthorne4181]

His mother, she didn’t have any other children other than him and actually gives a crap about him as a human being even if she made mistakes by letting her guard down during the height of BSB’s Fame.

[@LyricalXilence]

Why was Brian his guardian when Kevin and Howie were older.

[@kirstenovenden6081]

LyricalXilence Brian became Nick's guardian because Nick seemed to get along with Brian better than Kevin and Howie as Howie and Kevin may have seemed like they were stricter on nick then Brian

[@antifamanutd]

Kirsten Ovenden Brian was a goofball like Nick, while Howie and Kevin appeared more reserved and serious.

[@xrishanx]

@@kirstenovenden6081 How is a guardian decided? Did Nick's family know Brian better than they knew Howie or Kevin?

[@LyricalXilence]

Really late reply. Thank you for responding to me. I would think that would be even more of a reason for Kevin to be guardian because he was more mature, while Brian was his friend. Perhaps the age difference causes more tension at the start and Nick didn't feel comfortable having Kevin in the position. But why not Howie? Or wasn't Denise there as well? Poor Brian to be given that responsibility at 18.

[@amylee8969]

@LyricalXilence Kevin was apparently younger than his siblings growing up and would therefore have very little experience being parental figure to someone. Younger siblings are often the ones who are babied. But I don’t doubt that he looked out for the boys like the baby brothers he never had.

[@Canadiana79]

Crazyness hey ??? :l

[@carrihunt8901]

Hi Nick and I you show me I like or music videos am happy ok nice do fun fun good am happy ok nice do you right back at the bacrteeboys I love you very much please picture

[@warilban]

Same...guardian yeah but legal? o.O

[@glitzgarcia8281]

Nick parents didnt want him so they gav up custody to Brian who was only 18 yrs so he was legally an adult to gain custody. Its disgusting and thats y he hated his parents

[@waynehardiman5443]

Just shows everyone was hooked on AJ but nick had demons to deal with

[@amandahemstreet6878]

Poor A.j McLean being only child might be hard

[@amandahemstreet6878]

Poor A.j McLean he only child his twins sisters died

[@amylee8969]

I didn’t know AJ was an only child. I guess joining this band was an Opportunity to have the siblings he never had.

[@amandahemstreet6878]

Nick carter blames his family

[@rosajessica7405]

Except his siblings

[@teganrae4499]

AJ looks like Screech