ABC Pulls Backstreet Boys Holiday Special Following Nick Carter Allegations And Lawsuit

Variety has confirmed, the Backstreet Boys' Christmas special, "A Very Backstreet Holiday," will no longer air on ABC. According to reports, Nick Carter allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old woman while the band was on tour in 2001.

On Thursday, 39-year-old Shannon "Shay" Ruth filed a sexual battery complaint against the artist, accusing him of raping and infecting her with HPV when she was 17. She said the incident occurred in February 2001 after a Backstreet Boys performance in Tacoma.

Ruth is autistic and has cerebral palsy. She described the alleged assault at a Beverly Hilton press conference with attorneys present.  Carter has denied the claim. His attorney Michael Holtz, told Variety that Ruth’s claims are the work of an “opportunist lawyer.” “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".