It was an emotional night at London’s O2 Arena when Nick Carter broke down in tears during a Backstreet Boys concert — just one day after learning that his younger brother, Aaron Carter, had passed away.
Nick, 42, tried to sing his verse from “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” but couldn’t hold back his emotions. His bandmates quickly gathered around him, hugging and comforting him as the crowd cheered in support.
Kevin Richardson then spoke to the audience, saying:
“Tonight we’ve got heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday. He’s part of our family, and we thank you for all your love and support.”
The touching moment brought fans to tears, as the Backstreet Boys dedicated the performance to Aaron.
Earlier that day, Aaron Carter, 34, was found dead at his home in Lancaster, California. Police later confirmed that the singer had drowned in his bathtub. The cause of death was ruled accidental, with contributing factors related to substance use.
Despite their complicated relationship, Nick had shared a heartbreaking tribute to his brother on Instagram. He posted childhood photos of the two and wrote:
“My heart has been broken today. Even though my brother and I had a complicated relationship, my love for him never ever faded. Addiction and mental illness are the real villains here.”
Nick later told People magazine that performing that night was one of the hardest things he’s ever done.
“It was very emotional for me, but having my guys with me helped me through it.”
Aaron Carter was a former teen pop star who rose to fame in the late 1990s with hits like “I Want Candy” and “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It).” Though he faced struggles in his later years, he remained loved by fans around the world.
As Nick said in his post, “I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you, Chizz. May you finally find the peace you couldn’t find here on Earth.”
