‘The Carters’ Director on Her Bond With Angel and Addiction Stigma: “She Knew That Aaron, in His Healthiest State, Would Want to Help Others”

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As the director of “The Carters: Hurts to Love You,” Soleil Moon Frye wishes that viewers can find a relatable aspect in the Carter family’s narrative.

She stated that this project was her goal when she began creating the movie about their struggle with mental health and substance abuse problems, as she shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

She declared that this assignment was her purpose when embarking on making a film about their fight against mental health and addiction issues, as she disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Frye’s role was also to aid Angel Carter, Aaron Carter’s twin sister, in revealing her truth following the loss of three siblings due to addiction. Tragically, Aaron died from an accidental drowning after overdosing on drugs in November 2022; while Leslie and Bobbie Jean (B.J.) passed away from drug overdoses as well, in 2012 and 2023 respectively.

On April 15th, the Paramount+ documentary becomes available for streaming. This documentary provides a personal look into the lives of the Carter family, who achieved global fame, by using a vast collection of home videos and tapes featuring siblings Nick, Aaron, Leslie, Bobbie Jean, and Angel. The two-part documentary follows Nick’s rise to stardom with the Backstreet Boys, delves into Aaron and Leslie’s individual careers, and explores their relationships with their parents, Jane and Robert Gene.

Frye observed that despite the family’s heart-wrenching ordeal filled with sorrow, it was undeniable to him that Angel was discovering her true calling. This calling seemed to be transforming their anguish and suffering into something illuminating.

In her conversation with THR, Frye – famously recognized for her roles in Punky Brewster and Sabrina the Teenage Witch – discusses her own struggles with addiction, explaining how this film served as a healing process for Angel. She expresses that she believes Angel, in his best mental condition, would have wanted to assist others. Moreover, before B.J.’s passing, she requested that their story be shared publicly.

I’m so intrigued as to how this all started for you.

I had the pleasure of encountering a truly remarkable individual named Angel. Her resilience, elegance, and unwavering bravery left a profound impact on me, especially considering her life’s journey, which involves supporting loved ones battling mental health issues and addiction. This topic struck a chord with me personally, as the family’s narrative was heart-wrenchingly difficult, filled with sorrow and pain. However, amidst this suffering, Angel’s purpose seemed undeniably clear: she was transforming her anguish into light.

For several years now, I’ve felt a strong sense of moral obligation to help establish a secure environment where Angel can feel comfortable enough to share her personal experiences. Simultaneously, as we delve into the past recordings and listen to their narratives, it becomes clear that many aspects resonate profoundly with us all. We are grappling with a worldwide crisis, making this an incredibly critical moment for discussing mental health issues and substance abuse. I genuinely hope that those who view it can identify with it, connect it to their own stories, and recognize the need for open, meaningful dialogues. It’s high time we break down these stigmas and prejudices, fostering greater understanding, empathy, and compassion among us.

Why has it never been a more important time?

For decades, there’s been a lack of open conversations about personal struggles, and this is something that transcends borders. There’s often a significant stigma associated with discussing mental health issues or expressing our difficulties, which is evident in society today. I recall Aaron as a vibrant, radiant, and cheerful child when we worked together, but as his life progressed, we witnessed the impact of pain, loss, and life’s ups and downs on him. When we can’t express ourselves, we may feel incredibly lonely and disconnected.

As I view this, I perceive countless individuals primarily through the perspective of this family, and given the evolution of social media, I’m convinced we haven’t yet fully grasped its implications for young people, teens, and kids. We can observe it in the form of bullying towards a young man who was clearly suffering. I strongly feel that addiction should be regarded as a disease, just like any other. When someone is stricken with a disease, we rally together to offer support. A friend of mine who tragically lost their child once said, “When it comes to addiction, people often shy away because they don’t know how to cope with it.” It’s crucial that we initiate these discussions about addiction early in childhood.

How long have you been a friend of the Carter family?

In a different time, I encountered Aaron who was still a teenager as he worked on a show. He was incredibly kind. Later on, I had the good fortune of meeting Angel, an encounter from several years past. Upon our first meeting, I was struck by her bravery and resilience. As we grew closer, trust developed between us. One day, I visited her home and discovered piles of untouched videotapes and photo albums. It was a privilege to be entrusted with this archive. My fascination lies in archival research, as so many elements of human stories resonate when we can see their childhood experiences. This marked the start of our journey, and as more trust was established, the family became more open.

What surprising insights about the Carter family do you believe fans of Aaron and Nick might discover from getting this close-up look at their upbringing?

In our vibrant world, I often find myself making hasty judgments about others. I eagerly anticipate this production serving as a mirror for viewers, helping them discover aspects of themselves and fostering heartfelt discussions on mental health and addiction. Being blessed with an extraordinary upbringing surrounded by friends who have achieved remarkable feats in their personal and professional lives, I’ve also experienced the tragic loss of dear ones who shared my journey growing up. This project aims to cast light on a realm that we may believe we comprehend, but it will unveil deeper layers of empathy and compassion, offering a more profound understanding.

As a fan, immersing myself in vintage recordings and witnessing Nick play the piano, observing his relentless pursuit of perfection, I can’t help but feel the passage of time slip away during rehearsals. It stirs in me a contemplation about renowned musicians, artists, actors, and athletes. The stories we hear often revolve around their breaking points. Yet, what triggers those moments of collapse? What does that intense pressure truly manifest as? And when you consider the intersection of mental health, fame, addiction, and the burden of pleasing others, what does it all encompass?… I aspire to become a vessel for something greater than myself.

In the last few years, we’ve watched several documentaries, such as Child Star featuring Demi Lovato and Quiet on Set, focusing on child fame, stardom, and its potential harm. Did you also want to shed light on this topic, given that The Carters were dealing with even more challenges?

In my view, it was crucial to let the archival express its own voice, enabling Angel to disclose her honesty, as it’s essential to filter out distractions. I hope you understand what I’m trying to convey here. You see, I’ve been fortunate enough to cultivate extraordinary friendships… However, I can’t ignore the fact that I’ve suffered significant losses of close, meaningful friendships, some of whom were my childhood friends who didn’t survive. Some of us managed to endure and thrive, while others didn’t. This experience has a profound impact on me because I’ve witnessed it unfold among my friends and loved ones, both in the industry and outside of it.

Why was now the right time for Angel to share her truth?

Angel often preferred to work from behind the scenes, shying away from the limelight. She had no desire to be center stage. Tragically, she lost four of her five siblings, including B.J., due to addiction and mental health issues during the filming of this documentary. This loss also included her father. Angel believed that if Aaron, her brother in his best state, were still alive, he would have wanted to help others, as well as B.J. and Leslie. Before B.J.’s passing, she asked for their story to be told. Angel felt a sense of responsibility to transform this pain into purpose and this trauma into hope. By doing so, she hoped that the Conrad and Carter children, the next generation, would not have to inherit this generational trauma. They could break free from this cycle so that her daughter could live a life unaffected by it. Angel’s family story, therefore, serves as a means to help others, making up much of her mission.

Do you think this documentary has helped Angel in finding some closure?

It’s deeply touching for me to learn about how healing her experience has been for her and her family. And that’s an honor I will always cherish – the opportunity to observe their healing process. Last night, I saw Nick and his family, as well as Prince, Aaron’s son, illuminating with such radiance. It’s as if [Angel] is navigating through this challenging time with a profound resilience.

Is this subject something you’d like to pursue further with your documentary filmmaking?

One of the strong bonds between Angel and me was our shared experiences of losing friends and loved ones who battled similar hardships. Currently, I’m working on another documentary focusing on love, family, and addiction. When I met Angel, she sensed my lack of judgment towards her situation. Tragically, during the production of our film “The Carters: Hurts to Love You“, one of my closest childhood friends passed away in June. Angel stood by me throughout this difficult time. She too had lost a sibling, while I lost a dear friend. If I hadn’t endured such experiences, I might not have gained the courage or compassion to truly understand addiction as I do now. It impacts countless lives.

I’m truly sorry for the pain you’re experiencing right now. It’s heartbreaking indeed. May this unfortunate event strengthen the bond between you and Angel, creating a lifelong friendship.

I want to express my gratitude for having an outstanding support system and exceptional team during this project, including Susan Zirinsky, James [Goldston], Steven [Baker], Terry [Wrong], Paramount+, Candle Media, among others. It often feels like a dream to me because, as a child, I was captivated by journalism and documenting stories. The opportunity to collaborate with such inspiring journalists I’ve looked up to is truly remarkable. This experience has been incredibly profound for me because from the start, I shared my desire to tell a story about breaking generational patterns of mental health and addiction through the courage of Angel and this family’s tale. My team supported me in this endeavor, and I am deeply grateful for that unparalleled gift.

The Carters: Hurts to Love You is streaming on Paramount+ April 15.

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2025-04-15 22:55