Nick Carter sobs during tribute to Aaron during Backstreet Boys concert
Midway through the group’s show in London, Kevin Richardson got serious talking about Aaron’s sudden death on Saturday at age 34. He said during the group’s 29 years together, they had experienced “highs and lows” and currently had “heavy hearts” after losing “one of our family members,” Nick’s “little brother.” He was their little brother too, they said, as Aaron launched his solo singing career in the ’90s — at age 9 — opening for the boy band.
While Richardson spoke of their plan to recognize the “I Want Candy” and “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” singer during the show, the other band members — AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Brian Littrell — hugged Nick, who was openly sobbing on the stage. They went on to sing their hit “No Place,” which is about family. Photos of Aaron and Nick flashed on the screen during the emotional performance.
Some of the photos were used in the social media tribute Nick posted after Aaron was found dead in his L.A. home on Saturday morning. Nick, who was estranged from his sibling, reflected in his post about their “complicated relationship” due to Aaron’s addiction and mental illness. Through the years, Aaron revealed he had been diagnosed withschizophrenia, multiple personality disorder an anxiety, and he had addictions to prescription drugs and huffing. In a final interview, Aaron claimed he was 5 years sober, but smoked marijuana and took Xanax “legally.”
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Angel Carter Conrad, Aaron’s twin sister, also posted a tribute to him with old photos of them as babies and toddlers.
“To my twin… I loved you beyond measure,” she wrote to her sibling, from whom she was also estranged. “You will be missed dearly. My funny, sweet Aaron, I have so many memories of you and I, and I promise to cherish them. I know you’re at peace now. I will carry you with me until the day I die and get to see you again.”
