Angel Carter Conrad opens up about the new documentary “The Carters: Hurts to Love You,” which is available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.
“The Carters” is an intimate documentary that unveils the hidden struggles behind Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) and Aaron Carter’s fame.
Told through the eyes of their sister, Angel, this powerful film unpacks the family’s complex dynamics, leading to the tragic deaths of three siblings and their father.
The documentary was directed by Soleil Moon Frye, “The Carters” reveals the true cost of fame.
How was your experience doing “The Carters: Hurts to Love You”?
It was an incredibly healing journey. From the moment I met Soleil, we just clicked.
We knew right away that working together on this documentary was going to be something really special. She has such a warm, loving energy- like a big sister to me in so many ways, but also very maternal. She cared about telling this story in the most authentic, real, and organic way possible.
From day one, we were completely on the same page, and I always felt like she was looking out for both me and the integrity of the project. I’m just so incredibly thankful and grateful to have worked with her.
What was it like to do this with your brother Nick Carter?
Doing this with Nick was incredibly healing. He’s eight years older than me, so there were things he remembered- things that happened to us as babies that I had no idea about.
Hearing his perspective was eye opening and it really helped me piece together parts of our past in a way I never had before.
At the same time, he was just a kid too, so he wasn’t able to do anything back then, But being able to sit down, talk it all out, and process it together was such an important part of our healing.
It allowed us to not only understand each other on a deeper level but also finally put some of this pain to rest.
Was this a cathartic process for you?
Very much so. To be able to take my grief and put it back into the universe in a way that could actually help people. That was my whole purpose in starting this process.
All of my siblings who have passed away, but they each have children, and Nick and I have children too. I wanted to show them that in life, both good and bad things will happen, but it’s the choices you make that define you.
The good that came out of this tragedy is that Aaron had a platform, and we had the opportunity to turn something painful into something powerful and something that could truly save lives.
How did it feel to partner with Paramount+ for this?
Partnering with Paramount+ was an incredible opportunity, and I’m just so grateful. They understood the importance of sharing this story in its most authentic form and have been incredibly supportive in every step of the way.
They truly valued the heart of this documentary and that made all the difference.
Can you tell us about your work for mental health advocacy?
If you had told me years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I wouldn’t have believed you. When I was 14, I already felt like a failure.
Both of my brother’s success was so big, and in my family, school was never a priority, so college wasn’t even an option for me. It took me a long time to find my purpose in life, and it wasn’t until Aaron passed away that I did.
As heartbreaking as that is, I’m also so grateful because I love him and my family so much, and being able to do this work in my families honor is such a gift.
Since he passed, my work hasn’t stopped. I’m a Champion for The Kids Mental Health Foundation, and my husband and I co-chair a yearly event called Kids Mental Health Day. This year, it’s being held at The Grove in Los Angeles on May 17th.
It’s a free event where parents and caregivers can come to learn about the resources and tools we provide. Whether you’re looking for ways to incorporate mental health into everyday conversations, support a child in crisis, or simply understand emotions better.
We’re here to help, and making mental health support more accessible is something I’m deeply passionate about.
What do your plans for the future include?
Right now, I’m really embracing this journey and staying open to where this road leads me.
I’ve been working closely in the addiction space, learning from doctors, and educating myself about the disease of addiction.
I’ve also been doing speaking engagements, which has been really fulfilling, and I’d love to continue finding ways to use my voice to help others.
As for what’s next, I have some exciting projects in the works that are really close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share more when the time is right.
What does the word success mean to you?
To me, success isn’t about money or status. It’s about the people in my life. It’s about my family, my friends, and the love and moments we share.
Success means living life to the fullest, truly cherishing the moments I have with my daughter and my husband, and making the most of our time together.
At the end of the day, it’s about the impact you have on others and how you make people feel. That’s what really matters.
What’s the one thing you want our readers to get out of “The Carters: Hurts to Love You”?
I want people to take away from this documentary is that you are not alone. It doesn’t matter that my family is in the public eye- mental health affects all of us in some way.
We all know someone who has struggled, and this is truly an epidemic. One in five kids has a mental health disorder, and 50 percent of all lifetime mental illnesses start before the age of 14 — yet only half of those kids get the treatment they need.
These statistics are staggering, and we have to do something about it. That starts with having the conversation, breaking the stigma, and making sure people, especially kids know they are heard, supported, and never alone.
To learn more about Angel Carter Conrad, follow her on Instagram.
