Singer Aaron Carter, 16, recently filed for legal emancipation from his mother, who he claims has stolen more than $100,000 from his bank account without permission.
Early years: Carter was born Dec. 7, 1987, in Tampa, Fla. He was interested in music at an early age and became the lead singer of the band Dead End at age 7, leaving two years later to start a solo career.
Career: Carter's big break came when he performed with his brother, Nick Carter of the pop band Backstreet Boys, at a 1997 concert in Germany. After his self-titled debut album went gold in Norway, Spain, Canada and Germany, it was released in America in 1998. That year he became the youngest person in history to have four hit singles. Carter's second album, "Aaron's Party (Come Get It)" was released in 2000. That same year he toured with pop princess Britney Spears. His mother also wrote his biography, "The Little Prince of Pop," that year.
In 2001 he starred as "JoJo the Who" in the successful Broadway show "Seussical," based on the Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham." He also released his third album that year, "Oh Aaron." His fourth album, "Another Earthquake," launched in 2002 with a 30-city tour.
In 2002 the Carter family sued Lou Pearlman, the president of Aaron's former music label, claiming Pearlman withheld most of Aaron's earnings from his first two albums. The suit is still in litigation.
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Family: Aaron currently lives in Florida with his father. His parents are separated.
In his words: "Music is something that always lifts my spirits and makes me happy, and when I make music I always hope it will have the same effect on whoever listens to it."
Web link: www.aaron-carter.com
Compiled by Heather Leinen
Sources: Kidzworld.com, Vh1.com, Rollingstone.com
