#WeGotYou: examining the intersections of believability, cancel culture, and fandom (in a not-cancel case)

In 2022, Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter faced sexual assault allegations from three women. Carter, during his boyband career branded as the “innocent, young, baby” of the band, did not receive a lot of public backlash due to the cases, despite their resonance with typical #MeToo-narratives warranting an artist's cancellation. Besides the cancellation of the “Backstreet Boys Christmas Special” by ABC (and a few sponsorship deals), Carter's reputation remained largely intact. Fans even petitioned for the special to be aired. Drawing on fan comments on the petition and a blog written by Melissa Schuman who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Carter in 2023, this article examines how fans reconcile the different media portrayals of Carter in relation to the narratives of the accusers. Using the framework of “believability”, we explore the narratives of the accusers and how fans supported Carter after the ABC-cancellation. Our analysis reveals fans’ loyalty to Carter: they consider him innocent, and call out the accusers. This case study contributes insights into why and how cancellation is avoided, unpacking the complex intersections of fandom, cancel culture and believability.