Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nick Carter

How Nick Carter built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nick Carter is an American singer, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. During breaks from the group, he pursued a solo career, releasing three albums: 'Now or Never,' 'I'm Taking Off,' and 'All American,' as well as a collaboration album with Jordan Knight, 'Nick & Knight'. Carter has also appeared on television, including starring in the reality shows 'House of Carters' and 'I (Heart) Nick Carter'.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1989: Early Recordings

Between 1989 and 1993, Nick Carter recorded songs such as "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Uptown Girl," as well as original songs he performed at events.

1990: Appearance in Edward Scissorhands

In 1990, Nick Carter made a brief appearance in the Tim Burton film Edward Scissorhands as a child playing on a Slip 'N Slide during a neighborhood scene.

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1992: New Original Amateur Hour Performance

In 1992, at the age of 12, Nick Carter delivered a winning performance on the New Original Amateur Hour.

April 20, 1993: Formation of the Backstreet Boys

On April 20, 1993, at the age of 13, Nick Carter formed the vocal group the Backstreet Boys along with AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson.

1993: Early Recordings

Between 1989 and 1993, Nick Carter recorded songs such as "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Uptown Girl," as well as original songs he performed at events.

September 2002: Release of Help Me

In September 2002, Nick Carter released "Help Me," the first single from his solo album. It achieved considerable worldwide success, reaching No. 1 on various radio stations.

October 2002: Release of Before the Backstreet Boys 1989-1993

In October 2002, Dynamic Discs, Inc. released an unofficial compilation album called Before the Backstreet Boys 1989–1993, featuring various songs recorded by Nick Carter between 1989 and 1993.

October 29, 2002: Release of Now or Never

On October 29, 2002, Nick Carter's first solo album, Now or Never, was released. It sold over 500,000 copies in the first week, reaching No. 17 on the Billboard 200 charts and earning gold certifications in both the United States and Canada.

2002: Appearance on American Dreams

In 2002, Nick Carter appeared on the NBC show American Dreams.

2003: Appearance on 8 Simple Rules

In 2003, Nick Carter appeared on ABC's 8 Simple Rules.

2003: Solo Tour

In early 2003, Nick Carter embarked on a solo tour, performing at smaller venues like clubs.

October 2004: Starring in The Hollow

In October 2004, Nick Carter starred as Brody, a High School football player, in the ABC Family Halloween special, The Hollow, opposite Kevin Zegers.

2004: Return to Backstreet Boys

In 2004, Nick Carter's work on his second solo album was put on hold as the Backstreet Boys reunited to record a new album.

2006: House of Carters Theme Song

In 2006, a track from Nick Carter's earlier recording sessions was used as the theme song for the television series House of Carters. The song, "Let It Go," was written by Carter, Matthew Gerrard, and Bridget Louise Benenate.

2007: Filming Kill Speed

In 2007, Nick Carter filmed the independent movie Kill Speed.

2008: Start of Work on I'm Taking Off

In 2008, Nick Carter began working on his second solo album, I'm Taking Off.

2009: Duet with Jennifer Paige

In 2009, Nick Carter recorded a duet with pop singer Jennifer Paige called "Beautiful Lie".

August 13, 2010: Public Viewing of The Pendant

On August 13, 2010, Nick Carter's short film, The Pendant, had its only public viewing at the Royal Theater in Toronto.

2010: Recording of New Songs

In 2010, Nick Carter began recording new songs for his second solo album, collaborating with various writers and producers.

February 2, 2011: Release of I'm Taking Off in Japan

On February 2, 2011, Nick Carter's second solo album, I'm Taking Off, was first released in Japan.

May 24, 2011: US Release of I'm Taking Off

On May 24, 2011, Nick Carter's second solo album, I'm Taking Off, was released in the U.S. via iTunes.

June 3, 2011: Release of I'm Taking Off in Germany

On June 3, 2011, Nick Carter's album I'm Taking Off was released in Germany.

June 2011: I'm Taking Off Album Sales

As of June 2011, Nick Carter's second solo album, I'm Taking Off, reached No. 8 in Japan, selling over 20,000 copies.

May 8, 2012: Guest Appearance on 90210

On May 8, 2012, Nick Carter made a guest appearance as himself on CW's 90210.

June 12, 2012: Release of Kill Speed in the US

On June 12, 2012, the independent movie Kill Speed, in which Nick Carter played the character Foreman, was released on DVD in the US.

2012: Directing Another Movie

In 2012, Nick Carter directed another movie, but its release date remains unannounced.

2013: Appearance in This Is the End

In 2013, Nick Carter made his big-screen debut in the comedy This Is the End along with the rest of the Backstreet Boys.

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2013: Publication of Memoir: Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It

In 2013, Nick Carter published his memoir, titled Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It. The book, released by Bird Street Books, chronicles Carter's life experiences, particularly focusing on his struggles with addiction and his path to recovery.

January 2014: Recording Duet Album with Jordan Knight

In January 2014, Nick Carter recorded a duet album with Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block, titled Nick & Knight.

July 15, 2014: Release of One More Time

On July 15, 2014, Nick Carter and Jordan Knight released "One More Time," the first single from their collaborative album.

September 2, 2014: Release of Nick & Knight Album

On September 2, 2014, Nick Carter and Jordan Knight released their collaboration album, Nick & Knight. The album debuted at #24 on the US Billboard 200 and #14 in Canada.

November 2014: End of Nick & Knight Tour

The tour supporting the Nick & Knight album, a collaboration between Nick Carter and Jordan Knight, ran from September to November 2014.

October 1, 2015: Release of "I Will Wait"

On October 1, 2015, Nick Carter released "I Will Wait," the first single from his upcoming album, All American, on Vevo. It is an acoustic ballad.

November 25, 2015: Digital Release of All American

On November 25, 2015, Nick Carter's album All American was released digitally via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.

2015: Release of Solo Albums

In 2015, Nick Carter had released three solo albums: Now or Never, I'm Taking Off, and All American, during breaks between Backstreet Boys schedules. He also collaborated with Jordan Knight on Nick & Knight.

February 2016: CD Release and Japan Release of All American

In February 2016, Nick Carter's album All American was released on CD and in Japan.

March 2016: Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life Residency Announcement

In March 2016, the Backstreet Boys announced an exclusive headlining residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas called Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life.

March 2016: All American Tour

In support of his album All American, Nick Carter toured in February and March 2016.

2019: Release of DNA

In 2019, the Backstreet Boys released their album DNA.

October 14, 2022: Release of A Very Backstreet Christmas

On October 14, 2022, the Backstreet Boys released their first holiday album, A Very Backstreet Christmas.

March 2023: Judge Rules Carter Can Countersue Ruth for Libel

In March 2023, a Las Vegas judge, Nancy Allf, ruled that Nick Carter was allowed to countersue Shannon Ruth for libel in response to allegations made against him. The judge denied Ruth's legal team's anti-SLAPP motion, citing insufficient evidence from Ruth and sufficient evidence from Carter to support his counterclaims. This ruling marked a significant development in the legal battle surrounding the allegations against Carter.

July 2023: Announcement of Who I Am World Tour

In July 2023, Nick Carter announced his first solo tour in almost a decade, the Who I Am World Tour. It will feature music from his solo albums, Backstreet Boys songs, & covers of songs from the 1980s.

August 2023: Judge Decides Carter Presented Sufficient Evidence to Countersue Schuman for Defamation

In August 2023, a Las Vegas judge decided that Nick Carter presented sufficient evidence to countersue Melissa Schuman for defamation. This decision allows Carter to proceed with his countersuit against Schuman, marking another development in the ongoing legal disputes stemming from allegations made against him. The judge determined that there was enough evidence to support Carter's claims of defamation, paving the way for the countersuit to move forward.

August 2024: Repp's anti-SLAPP Motion Approved

In August 2024, Ashley Repp's anti-SLAPP motion was approved, however, Nick Carter has since filed an appeal against her and will continue to sue Schuman and Ruth with the defamation lawsuit.

2024: Fallen Idols Docuseries Release

In 2024, Nick Carter and his late brother Aaron are the subject of a docuseries on ID and Max called Fallen Idols, which premiered over two nights on May 27 and 28. The series dives into the sexual assault allegations against the Backstreet Boys singer, as well as his brother's mental health struggles and substance abuse issues that led to his death.

February 2025: Start of Who Am I World Tour 2025

In February 2025, Nick Carter's "Who Am I" World Tour 2025 will commence, starting in the United Arab Emirates and continuing to various countries including India, Thailand, Qatar, Macau, Malaysia, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Singapore.