Nick Carter Pays Tribute to Brother Aaron as Backstreet Boys Go Ahead With London Gig

Update: The Backstreet Boys paid tribute to Aaron Carter at their concert in London on Sunday night (Nov. 6).

“Tonight we got a little bit of heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday,” said Kevin Richardson as his bandmate – and Aaron’s older brother – Nick Carter fought back tears next to him on stage. “We just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize that Nick’s little brother, Aaron Carter, passed away yesterday at 34 years old. He was a part of our family and we thank you guys for all the love and all the well wishes and all the support.”

More from Variety

• Hilary Duff and More Stars Remember Aaron Carter: 'You Had a Charm That Was Absolutely Effervescent'

• Aaron Carter, Pop Singer and Brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, Dies at 34

• Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean to Host New Reality Competition Series 'The Fashion Hero: A New Kind of Beautiful' (EXCLUSIVE)

As Richardson was speaking Nick appeared to wipe his eyes with his hand. Meanwhile, the other members of the band – A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough walked over to hug him. Littrell could also be seen wiping at his eyes with his sleeve.

Dorough then added: “We’d like to dedicate this next song to our little brother Aaron Carter. You will be missed brother,” before the band launched into their 2013 hit “Breathe.”

Just before Richardson’s speech, the band sang “No Place” while a video montage showing each band member with his family played on the screens above the stage. Towards the end of the song the video cut to photographs of Nick with Aaron at different ages, before changing to a photograph of Aaron accompanied by the words “Aaron Carter 1987-2022.”

The Backstreet Boys’ European tour will continue this week as planned, a rep for the band confirmed to Variety.

Previously: Nick Carter paid tribute to his younger brother Aaron, who died at the age of 34 on Saturday.

According to reports, the singer was found unresponsive in his bath at his home in Los Angeles.

Nick Carter is currently in the U.K. on the last leg of the Backstreet Boys’ European tour. The band is set to take the stage at the O2 arena in London on Sunday night (Nov. 6).

In a statement on Instagram, Carter posted a series of images of the brothers together – as children, teens and adults – along with a caption. “My heart has been broken today,” he wrote alongside the photographs.

“Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held onto the hope, that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed,” the caption read. “Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss. But the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here. I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz., now you get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on earth….God,Please take care of my baby brother.”

Among the tens of thousands of replies, Spice Girl Emma Bunton wrote: “I’m heartbroken for you and your family. Sending so much love,” and TikTok star Rod, commented: “Love to you and your family Nick.”

Following the tragic news, there was speculation in the U.K. as to whether the Backstreet Boys’ concert at the O2 arena, which has a 20,000 capacity, would go ahead as planned. On Sunday afternoon (local time) the venue confirmed via Twitter that the band was set to play. “Who’s ready to see @backstreetboys take to the stage tonight? Doors open at 6pm plus there’s a few final seats available,” the O2’s official account tweeted.

Earlier in the day the band’s support act, KnowleDJ, posted on Instagram stories he believed the concert would go ahead. “Hi guys, I’m sorry for the confusion,” he wrote. “It’s a really delicate time and this hasn’t been easy for me. And I’m just trying to help. As far as I’m told, the show is happening and I will be there tonight to do my set. But I’d suggest checking the official sites to be sure just in case things change. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and let’s all pray for Nick and his family.”

Neither the Backstreet Boys’ official social media accounts nor the individual band members have publicly mentioned the London gig, however, fans arriving at the venue on Sunday afternoon confirmed on Twitter it appeared to be going ahead.

However, some other events scheduled alongside the tour have been amended or canceled, including a planned meet and greet with Carter’s Backstreet Boys bandmate A.J. McLean organized by nail polish brand Ava Dean Beauty. “Hello Everyone, Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Ava Dean Beauty event scheduled for November 6th, 2022 has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your order will be refunded back to the original payment method in 5-7 business days.” The post was signed off “A.J. and the Ava Dean Beauty Team.”

At a similar meet and greet for the beauty brand, which took place in Germany on Friday, McLean was joined by Carter and fellow Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.

After the London concert, there are only two dates left on the band’s European leg of the tour: Manchester, U.K. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, followed by a stand-alone gig in Belgium on Thursday, Nov. 10. The band then has just under a month’s break until the next U.S. leg of the tour starts on Dec. 6 in Detroit.

Best of Variety

• What's Coming to Netflix in November 2022

• What's Coming to Disney+ in November 2022

• Matthew Perry Gets Real About His Addiction Journey In Vulnerable New Memoir 'Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing'

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.