Celebrities including Hilary Duff react to Aaron Carter's death

The former child pop star was found dead at his California home

Aaron Carter in 2015. The singer and rapper, who began performing as a child star, was found dead on November 5, 2022, at his home in southern California. AP

Aaron Carter and his brother, Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, at the Billboard Music Awards in 2000. AFP

Nick and Aaron at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2001. AFP

Aaron Carter at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in 2001. AFP

Aaron Carter at the Billboard Music Awards in 2004. AFP

Aaron Carter performing in Boston in 2004. AP

Aaron Carter at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles in 2005. Reuters

Aaron Carter at the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 party on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood in 2006. AFP

Aaron Carter with his brother Nick, left, in 2006. Reuters

Aaron Carter at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles. Reuters

Nick and Aaron at the MTV Movie Awards in 2006. AFP

Aaron Carter at his birthday party with his girlfriend, singer Kaci Brown, in 2006. AP

Aaron Carter at the 'US Weekly' Fall Hot Hollywood party in West Hollywood in 2009. EPA

Aaron Carter at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, in 2010. EPA

Aaron Carter at Fashion's Night Out - Hollywood Unzipped Party in 2012. AP

Aaron Carter during an interview at nightclub K17 prior to a concert in Berlin in 2015. EPA

Carter in 2015. The star, who released his debut album in 1997 when he was only 9 years old, had wrestled with addiction for years. EPA

Celebrities including singer and actress Hilary Duff are reacting in shock to news of Aaron Carter's death. The former child pop star and brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter was found dead at his California home on Saturday. He was 34.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department confirmed that a deceased person was found in Carter's home but did not provide further details. There were no reports that foul play was suspected.

Duff, who once dated carter, recalled their time together in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“You had a charm that was absolutely effervescent… boy did my teenage self love you deeply," she said. "I’m deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in front of the whole world."

Carter, who released his debut album in 1997 when he was only 9 years old, has wrestled with addiction for years, sometimes sharing his experience publicly.

In a 2019 appearance on celebrity wellness TV show The Doctors, he held up a bag full of prescription drugs that he said he took after being diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, manic depression and anxiety.

He has also been admitted to drug rehabilitation centres on several occasions.

"Fame at a young age is often more a curse than a blessing and surviving it is not easy. RIP Aaron Carter," songwriter Diane Warren wrote on Twitter.

Singer and actor Tyler Hilton, who toured with Carter in 2019, called news of his death "heartbreaking".

"This kid had such a spark. Known him for years and always really liked him, he was warm and really funny. Loved putting on a show and he was good at it," he said.

Television personality and comedian Loni Love called him "funny, talented and cool".

"I felt that he was trying... he really was just trying to be happy. I'm sorry to hear of his passing," she posted on Instagram.

Born on December 7, 1987, in Tampa, Florida, Cater began performing at aged 7, releasing his debut album at aged 9. His second album, Aaron's Party (Come Get It) sold three million copies in the US, propelling him to teen heart-throb status. He became a regular on pre-teen Nickelodeon and Disney shows, including an appearance on the popular Lizzie McGuire.

Actress Melissa Joan Hart also posted a tribute to Carter, who appeared as a guest on her hit show Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

"Sending love to the family and friends and fans of Aaron Carter. Rest In Peace!" Hart posted, along with a photo of the two of them.

Carter's ex-fiancee Melanie Martin, mother of his son, Prince, uploaded a TikTok video of herself crying in a car shortly after news of the death broke.

“My baby,” the model, 30, captioned an Instagram Story photo of herself with the late singer on Saturday. “I can’t breathe.”

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