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Publication of Aaron Carter’s controversial and unfinished memoir has been delayed following backlash from Hilary Duff, the late singer’s reporter

November 13, 2022

Aaron Carter’s unfinished memoir delayed after backlash. (Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Publication of Aaron Carter’s unfinished memoir has been delayed following criticism from the late singer’s ex-girlfriend, Hilary Duff.

In a press release on Saturday – a week after Carter, 34, was found dead at his California home – a representative for publishing company Ballast Books and author Andy Symonds explained the decision to scrap the release date. of November 15.

“Aaron Carter wanted his story told,” wrote Scott Atherton, Founder of Atherton Galardi Mullen & Reeder PLLC. “And he wanted our client, Andy Symonds, a highly respected journalist and author, to tell this story with all its beauty and rawness. years of Mr. Carter. The most important story is about Mr. Carter’s life as a whole and what people can learn from his career success, personal struggles, and tragic passing. Out of respect for the Carter family , my client has decided to delay the release of the book for the time being Mr. Carter was not only a celebrity, but he was also a father, brother, son and friend to many who still mourn him.

by Symonds Aaron Carter: An Incomplete Story of an Incomplete Life was drawn from interviews the reporter conducted with Carter over a three-year period. The fact that the book was expedited, despite being incomplete, so soon after the “I Want Candy” singer’s death, rubbed some people, including Duff, the wrong way.

“It’s truly sad that less than a week after Aaron’s death, there is a publisher who seems to be recklessly pushing a book to capitalize on this tragedy without taking the time or care to check the validity of his work” , said Duff, who dated Carter from 2001 to 2004, said in a statement to E! New. “To dilute Aaron’s life story to what appears to be unverified clickbait for profit is disgusting. In no way do I condone shedding light on what is so obviously a seizure of uninformed and heartless money.”

Carter’s management also spoke out against the book’s release.

“In the few days since the passing of our dear friend, we have been trying to grieve and process while dealing with obscenely disrespectful and unauthorized outings,” his team told E! New. “It’s a time of mourning and reflection, not heartless cash grabbing and attention seeking.”

Carter’s publicist also told Page Six that publishing the book was “against Aaron’s wishes.”

“Aaron, in the midst of [working on the book], said, ‘I don’t want anything to do with this’ and stopped, so the fact that the editor says it’s the green light, it’s not,” his publicist said. at the outlet, which also reported that the incomplete briefs contain explosives and are unverified. claims about his alleged sexual relationship with Duff as a teenager. Carter also reportedly shared a story about waking up from a slumber party at her friend Michael Jackson’s house to find the pop star wearing nothing but underwear.

In a statement to Yahoo Entertainment last week, Symonds defended the project and Carter’s right to “tell her story.”

“Aaron Carter hired me to help him tell his story to the world,” Symonds said of Duff’s criticism. “This story, though tragically cut short, was filled with good and bad. His life was far from pretty, and it’s understandable that some people in the public eye don’t want some of the stories Aaron tells in his book. come to light. That doesn’t make them any less true or newsworthy. Aaron had the right – as we all do – to tell his story. As a journalist, I’m honored that he chose me for the help do that. In addition to being cathartic for him, Aaron hoped this book would help others struggling with addiction and mental illness. I hope and believe it will.”

Atherton confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment that Symonds “no longer intends to publish the book next week,” adding that the author “is working to” reverse any action taken with distribution channels.