ABC Cancels Airing Backstreet Boys Holiday Special. Here’s Why.
Man, this is a holiday bummer.
ABC has pulled the plug on the Backstreet Boys Holiday Special, and it’s all because of an incident that happened 20 years ago.
Way back in 2001, an autograph-seeking fan, who was 17 at the time, says that Nick Carter invited her onto his tour bus.
A chance that EVERY girl in the early 2000s would have jumped at, right?
But, once one the bus, Shannon “Shay” Ruth, says that she was given a drink concoction known as “VIP Juice,” before being sexually assaulted by Nick.
The last 21 years have been filled with pain, confusion, frustration, shame and self-harm that are a direct result of Nick Carter [sexually assaulting] me.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth
Shay also says that she is autistic and suffers from cerebral palsy, but this incident has had a greater impact on her life.
Even though I’m autistic and live with cerebral palsy, I believe that nothing has affected me more or had a more lasting impact on my life than what Nick Carter did and said to me.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth
This next part is awful, so proceed with caution.
After he [sexually assaulted] me, I remember him calling me a ‘retarded bitch’ and grabbing me and leaving bruises on my arm.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth
I’d also like to say that Carter tried to scare me into silence, by saying no one would believe me if I told what happened.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth
He was nasty and threatening, saying I would go to jail if I told. — He was Nick Carter, and he had the power to wreck my life.
Shannon “Shay” Ruth
Of course, Nick Carter’s attorney has denied the claims.
Unfortunately, for several years now, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations about Nick – and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time. No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer – there is nothing to this claim whatsoever, which we have no doubt the courts will quickly realize.
Michael Holtz, Nick Carter’s attorney
A Very Backstreet Holiday was originally scheduled to air on December 14th, but, according to Fox News, ABC has decided to air comedy reruns instead.