ARTIST

Nick Carter

Nickolas Gene Carter, the youngest (and probably most popular) member of mega-boy band the Backstreet Boys and the elder brother of fellow teen-pop star Aaron Carter, was born in Jamestown, New York, where he started acting and singing at an early age. He was still in grade school when he received a standing ovation for his energetic portrayal of Raoul in a local production of Phantom Of The Opera, and at age 12 he again garnered attention with a remarkable appearance on the 1992 New Original Amateur Hour.

Carter also appeared in commercials for the Money Store and the Florida State Lottery, but his real big break was, of course, the Backstreet Boys; in the early '90s, Carter rejected a gig at Disney to join the harmonizing quintet, the biggest boy band since New Kids On The Block. Needless to say, this was the best move of his career so far.

As a member of one of the world's reigning boy bands and the head of his own management company, N-Control, Carter has a lot on his plate, but he wants it that way. And now he's venturing out as a solo artist as well (coincidentally around the same time as *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake and 98 Degrees's Nick Lachey). Carter's debut solo album, Now Or Never, is a marked change of pace, as it boasts definite rock influences and even some drumming by the blonde, blue-eyed, 22 year-old pop icon. And, despite rumors of animosity and an impending breakup, the project is fully supported by Carter's fellow Backstreet bandmates, meaning that Backstreet will be back, all right.

Written by Minnie Chi