Birth Name: Aaron Charles Carter
Stage Name: Aaron Carter
Born: December 7, 1987
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida, United States
Died: November 5, 2022
Gender Identity: Cisgender Man
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White (of English, Welsh, Irish, and German descent)
Profession: Singer, Actor, Television Personality
Years Active: 1995–2022
Genres: Pop, Hip Hop, Dance, Rock
Labels: Edel, Jive, Sony BMG, Z Entertainment
Associated Acts: Nick Carter, Backstreet Boys, Hilary Duff

Overview

Aaron Charles Carter was a pop singer and entertainer who rose to stardom in the late 1990s as a child star. He was best known for his teen-pop albums, energetic performances, and high-profile family connections. He became a cultural fixture during the early 2000s, with hits like Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) and frequent appearances on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.

Early Life and Career

Born in Tampa, Florida, Carter began his music career at age seven and released his first studio album in 1997 when he was just nine years old. His popularity skyrocketed with the release of Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) in 2000, which went triple platinum. He toured with the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, and became a prominent face of early-2000s teen pop.

In addition to music, Carter pursued acting and reality television, with guest roles on family sitcoms and participation in series like Dancing with the Stars, House of Carters, and Marriage Boot Camp: Family Edition.

Coming Out and Queer Identity

On August 5, 2017, Aaron Carter publicly came out as bisexual in a Twitter post that was later shared widely across major media outlets. He wrote:

“There’s something I’d like to say that I feel is important for myself and my identity… When I was around 13 years old I started to find boys and girls attractive… it wasn’t until I was 17 years old that I had an experience with a male that I can say I had an attraction to.”

His statement was widely praised within queer communities but was often treated with skepticism or sensationalism in the press. Carter later addressed the backlash and invalidation he faced, reaffirming his bisexual identity in multiple interviews. He expressed disappointment that his sexuality was used as a media spectacle rather than treated with seriousness and respect.

Personal Struggles and Public Life

Throughout his adult life, Carter dealt with substance use, mental health challenges, and strained family relationships. He was diagnosed with multiple conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and was transparent about his treatment and recovery efforts.

His openness about his struggles was often weaponized by the media and online critics, further compounding the pressure he experienced as a former child star in a highly public environment. Carter was repeatedly subjected to harassment, invasive questioning, and ridicule, particularly on social media.

Death and Legacy

Aaron Carter died at the age of 34 in his home in Lancaster, California. The cause of death was ruled as accidental drowning due to the effects of inhalant use and benzodiazepines. His death prompted widespread reflection on the mental health risks faced by former child stars, and the societal failure to support individuals grappling with trauma, addiction, and fame.

Carter’s coming out marked a significant moment in pop culture history, especially within the hypermasculine and heteronormative landscape of early-2000s teen music. His legacy includes his courage in speaking about his queerness and mental health, and his candidness in the face of public scrutiny.

Sources Cited

Billboard. “Aaron Carter Breaks Silence on Bisexuality: ‘It Wasn’t for Attention’.” 2017.

Carter, Aaron. Twitter post. August 5, 2017.

BBC News. “Aaron Carter: Singer and rapper dies aged 34.” November 6, 2022.

Rolling Stone. “Aaron Carter Opens Up About Coming Out and Sobriety.” 2018.