Nick Carter Countersues Melissa Schuman for Defamation

Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys has countersued Melissa Schuman, a former member of the girl group Dream, for $2.5 million in damages following her allegations of sexual assault from an incident in 2003. Carter insists that their encounter was consensual and accuses Schuman of defamation, claiming her accusations are a ploy to revive her career amidst her dwindling fame. The countersuit references a 2014 video in which Schuman purportedly admits to seeking relevance online, and it alleges that she and her father have attempted to rally others to defame him. Additionally, Carter faces similar allegations from two other women, which he claims are part of a conspiracy to extort him. Schuman's attorney has criticized Carter's approach as an attack on victims rather than addressing the allegations directly. This legal battle reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the #MeToo movement and the complexities of sexual assault claims in the public arena.