Soleil Moon Frye’s documentary, The Carters: Hurts to Love You, dives deep into the lives of the late Aaron Carter and his four siblings, including pop star Nick Carter. The film sheds light on the profound impact that addiction and mental health struggles have had on this high-profile family. Premiering in two parts, the first half will be streaming on Paramount+ as of April 15.
The film employs a mix of archival footage and modern-day interviews to tell the story of the Carter family. Its intended to raise awareness around the shared, complex issue all families confront with substance use and mental health. This is particularly important for our public servants. While there is wide emotion, Frye also says pressure and obligation that opened like this project. It’s led to crucial conversations on mental health and addiction in her own family.
Aaron Carter tragically lost his life in 2022 after drowning accidentally after dealing with a lifetime of drug addiction and its effects. While this story is an extreme example, it’s a reality that hundreds of thousands of families face on a daily basis. Frye’s documentary does more than tell this story. It opens the door for larger discussions about mental health and addiction.
Frye describes directing The Carters: Hurts to Love You as a profoundly emotional experience. She reflects on her connection to the footage, stating, “For me, one of the most painful parts of this journey was really living through their family archives and seeing and witnessing what was happening and what these children were going through at such a young age.”
Pulled from Frye’s own experiences, especially her 2021 documentary Kid 90, in which she delved into her adolescent years. She recognizes similarities between her life and Aaron’s struggles, stating, “It makes me super emotional thinking about it.” This personal connection humanizes the documentary, letting us look behind the glitz and glamour of celebrity life.
Frye continues to unpack the ideas behind the film. “At the core, this documentary is really about […] elements that so many of us face in our lives — which is mental health and addiction — and how many people it touches in America and in the world,” she notes. Our hope is that it reaches a wider audience that’s dealing with some of the same challenges.
The documentary brings to light the enduring culture of shame and secrecy that has affected those in the entertainment community for decades. Frye observes, “A lot of times this industry wants to keep you young forever and little forever.” This constant pressure sometimes exacerbates pre-existing mental health and addiction concerns. As such, those in the limelight often feel unable to ask for support or share their struggles.
By showcasing both the challenges and triumphs of the Carter siblings, The Carters: Hurts to Love You offers a nuanced portrayal of their lives. Its goal is to humanize their story, yet create awareness of how addiction and mental health issues affect families.