Nick Carter, once a teen heartthrob and now a longstanding member of the Backstreet Boys, is again under legal and public scrutiny as a fourth woman steps forward with serious accusations. Laura Penly, now in her late thirties, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Carter assaulted her twice in 2005 and exposed her to sexually transmitted infections, including HPV, an infection she claims led to cervical cancer.
Penly says she first met Carter in 2004 when she was 19 and visited him occasionally in Los Angeles. According to her, the two had consensual sex early on, but things escalated when she made it clear she didn’t want to continue. In her lawsuit, she alleges that Carter ignored her refusal and raped her, refusing to use protection. She also claims he later apologised, only to assault her again on a second visit.
Nick Carter's career spanning decades is being overshadowed by mounting legal troublesGetty Images
What makes this case especially grave is Penly’s claim that she contracted multiple STDs, including HPV, from Carter. A few months after the alleged assaults, she says she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and has since undergone treatment, suffering both physically and emotionally. She’s now demanding a jury trial and damages exceeding £12,000 (₹12.5 lakh).
This is not the first time Carter has faced such allegations. In 2022, Shannon Ruth accused him of raping her in 2001 when she was 17. Ruth, who has cerebral palsy and is on the autism spectrum, said she was invited onto his tour bus after a concert and was given a drink before being assaulted. A year later, former girl group member Melissa Schuman alleged that Carter raped her in his Santa Monica apartment in 2003, despite her repeatedly saying no. Another woman, Ashley Repp, filed a lawsuit claiming Carter raped her in 2003 when she was just 15. Each of these women has provided detailed accounts, and all claim lasting trauma.
A new lawsuit alleges Nick Carter of sexual assault and HPV transmission dating back to 2005Getty Images
Carter has denied every accusation. His lawyers argue that these lawsuits are part of a smear campaign and that the claims are unfounded. He has filed defamation suits against some of the accusers, though one has already been dismissed in court. Two more are set to go to trial next year.
With four women now accusing Carter of sexual misconduct spanning more than two decades, the spotlight has shifted from his career milestones to the growing number of women demanding accountability.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.