Imagine, if you will, what life must be like for Aaron Carter. The lil’ prince of pop has been the subject of a ‘tell all’ book penned by his mother, has three multi-platinum selling CDs and is the idol of tweens and teens alike. What is it that people say about the grass being greener on the other side?

Now imagine the downside of fame at 14: little to no privacy, a schedule that is crazy by the standards of someone twice his age and being accused of riding on the coattails of your famous sibling. It is no secret that Aaron is the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter. The two share a close bond, an uncanny resemblance and the same record label (Jive).

Aaron has always let it be known how much of an influence Nick has had on him, both personally and professionally. But I wonder how he reacted when his big bro’ fell from grace with his recent arrest at a Florida nightclub. Did the pint-sized Carter stand by his brother…no questions asked? Or did he feel hurt, confused and betrayed?

Aaron never publicly commented about the arrest and smartly so. He would have been easy prey for bloodthirsty journalists ready to manipulate and misquote his every word. But will the behavior of the most influential person in his life affect how he behaves in public? He has already been deemed a ‘brat’ by some who have worked with him, but is this the action of a normal teen-age boy or a bad-ass in-training?

In addition to conquering music, he has also conquered Broadway and, as he told MTV Canada, he may be moving into films in the future. With all his success coming at such an young age what is there left for him to look forward to? As he eventually moves into adulthood, he may loose his teen appeal with an audience who could soon tire of him.

The words ?former child star? have, for the most part, carried negative connotations. If Aaron and his handlers carefully craft out his career, he may actually prove to have staying power. But I have once piece of advice for him: hold your brother close to your heart, but don’t follow in all of his footsteps.






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