Aaron Carter
A child star who rode the frothy wave of late-90s teen pop to massive fame, his life became a public chronicle of the perils of early stardom.
1987–2022 (age 35)·American singer·Birthday: December 7·Millennials
Biography
Aaron Carter stepped into the spotlight almost as soon as he could walk, opening for his older brother's band, the Backstreet Boys, as a fresh-faced opening act. His 1997 debut album and its follow-up, 'Aaron's Party (Come Get It),' sold millions, transforming him into a pin-up for a generation of pre-teens. The early 2000s saw him everywhere—on MTV, in malls, on the covers of magazines. But the machinery of teen idolatry is relentless, and Carter's transition into adulthood played out under intense scrutiny. His later years were marked by public struggles with his mental health, finances, and substance abuse, a stark narrative that highlighted the dark side of growing up famous. His death in 2022 felt, to many who grew up with his music, like the loss of a complicated piece of their youth.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aaron was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aaron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Aaron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2022Died at 35
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Key Achievements
- His second studio album, 'Aaron's Party (Come Get It),' was certified triple platinum in the United States.
- He was the first solo artist to have four singles from a debut album chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
- He performed as an opening act for the Backstreet Boys' massive 'Into the Millennium Tour' in 1999.
- He released four studio albums between 1997 and 2002, selling over 10 million records worldwide.
Did You Know?
He was a skilled breakdancer and often incorporated complex dance routines into his live performances.
He was a contestant on the ninth season of 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2009.
He had a recurring role as himself on the Disney Channel series 'Lizzie McGuire.'
He was a licensed pilot and owned several aircraft.
“I've been performing since I was seven. It's all I know.”
