Singer-actress Melissa Schuman explained why she decided to record a duet with Nick Carter after he allegedly raped her in 2003.
Schuman explained why she decided to do so in the new Investigation Discovery docuseries Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron. She claims that she did not want to record the duet "There for Me" with Carter at the time. Back then, Schuman was in a place of "denial" and even mulled filing a police report about the rape. But she feared her career would be disrupted, so she decided not to speak up. In 2023, she eventually sued Carter.
Schuman explained that she felt "stuck" as she wanted to embark on a solo career, and she needed help from her management. Schuman claims that her manager at the time, Kenneth Crear, pitched her the song.
"When I look back on this song now, it feels almost premeditated, where it was presented as if it was going to actually help me, but in reality it feels more like an alibi for him," Schuman claimed, as quoted by People. "People don't understand and are like, 'Well, you followed him on Twitter. You sent him condolences. You liked a tweet.' I was truly trying my best to find forgiveness for him and move on with my life."
Despite being "conflicted," Schuman decided to record the duet to advance her solo career as Crear assured her that she wouldn't be left alone with Carter. It turns out that Carter had already lent his vocals, and all that Schuman had to do was record hers in the studio.
"My first thought was, 'Do I have to be alone with him?' And Kenneth goes, 'Oh, no, it's already pre-recorded. You only have to go in and do your part,'" Schuman remembered. "I could feel Kenneth's eyes on me, like he was observing me. And he goes, 'Nick is dating Paris Hilton.'"
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However, Schuman recalled that Sony Records had put up a showcase for her to secure a record deal. Unbeknownst to her, Crear had invited Carter to the showcase to sing the song with her.
Despite being overwhelmed, Schuman continued with it.
"When the showcase happened, I remember seeing him and I froze. Completely froze. I was scared," Schuman recalled. "And I was very cold to him and we sang our duet. I don't even think I looked at him and eventually he goes, 'Well clearly we don't like each other.' And those were the last words he ever said to me."
Weeks after the showcase, Schuman recalled Crear telling her that Sony had found her "vocally weak" and that they wouldn't be signing her, signaling the end of her music career.
In 2023, Crear said in a sworn declaration that when he presented the idea of working with Carter, Schuman did not express any hesitations. More so, Crear maintained that Schuman knew she'd be working with Carter on the said showcase, starkly contrasting Schuman's claim that she was uninformed.
READ MORE: Nick Carter's Legal Team Claims' Desperate' Accuser 'Cried Rape' Just to Get Singer Canceled
