The singer allegedly assaulted a 17-year-old in 2001 (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Nick Carter has hit the stage for the first time since denying allegations of sexual battery.
The pop star performed at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on Friday (December 9) alongside his Backstreet Boys bandmates: AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, and Howie Dorough.
Carter, 42, put on an energetic display, the whole band dressed in white and showcasing perfectly choreographed routines to a crowd of thousands, who sang along to their biggest hits.
The star seemingly brushed off his legal woes during their appearance at the annual festive event, after Shannon Ruth filed a lawsuit claiming that he sexually assaulted her in 2001 following a concert in Tacoma.
It’s thought that Ruth – who is autistic and has cerebral palsy – was 17 at the time, with legal documents obtained by TMZ claiming Carter invited her to his tour bus after and asked if she wanted a drink.
The publication states that the I Want It That Way musician gave her a ‘red coloured drink’ that he branded ‘VIP juice’, which she believes contained a mix of cranberry juice and alcohol.
Nick Carter was recently accused of sexual battery against Shannon Ruth (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
He made his first public appearance since denying the allegations (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Carter – whose brother, Aaron Carter, recently died – allegedly then took her to the bathroom on the bus and ordered that she should perform oral sex on him, despite Ruth crying through the incident.
It’s then alleged he took her to a bed and sexually assaulted her, before threatening to turn people against her if she spoke out, branding her a ‘little b***h’ and saying no one would believe her.
The lawsuit reportedly states that she contracted HPV, and is seeking damages for an unknown amount.
(L-R) Howie Dorough, Carter, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson performed as Backstreet Boys at the Jingle Ball (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
The group put on a united front for fans (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Issuing a statement via his lawyer in response to the allegations, Carter denies any wrongdoing.
Michael Holtz said: ‘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.
Carter’s lawyer issued a statement saying there is ‘nothing to claim’ from the lawsuit (Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
‘No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer – there is nothing to this claim whatsoever, which we have no doubt the courts will quickly realise.’
Following the lawsuit being made public knowledge, A Very Backstreet Holiday – the band’s Christmas TV special – has been axed.
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Filmed earlier this month and initially due to air on December 14, according to Variety, the programme, meant to celebrate the group’s upcoming 10th album, has been pulled from the schedule.
Metro.co.uk has previously contacted reps for Nick Carter and Backstreet Boys for comment.
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MORE : Aaron Carter’s family want his estate to go to 1-year-old son after star died without leaving a will
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He recently denied any wrongdoing.
