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Aaron Carter (US) tour dates 2024

Aaron Carter (US) is currently touring across 1 country and has 25 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at The Local Smokey in Knoxville, after that they'll be at The Local Smokey again in Knoxville.

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Aaron Carter: His Life in Photos

From 'Aaron's Party' to 'Lizzie McGuire' to the last months of his life.

By Tracy Allison

Tracy Allison

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Aaron Carter, a fixture of Y2K era pop music, died on Saturday (Nov. 5) at age 34. The singer, actor and TV personality passed away at his residence in Los Angeles. He is survived by his son, Prince.

In 1998, Carter — the younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter — made his solo debut in America with Aaron Carter, featuring the singles “Crush on You,” Crazy Little Party Girl” and “I’m Gonna Miss You Forever.”

His follow-up album, Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It) , was released in September 2000. Aaron’s Party peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went triple platinum. It featured the singles “I Want Candy” and two Billboard Hot 100 hits, “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” (No. 35) and “That’s How I Beat Shaq” (No. 95). He supported the album as an opening act for Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears on the Oops!… I Did It Again Tour. His third album, Oh Aaron , went platinum in 2001, and he has released two albums since then, most recently LØVË in 2018, where he had a writing credit on every track.

Carter also appeared in TV shows such as Lizzie McGuire, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and 7th Heaven . He made his Broadway debut in 2001 as JoJo the Who in Seussical the Musical and also enjoyed a long stint in the off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks . In a 2019 interview with Billboard , Carter talked about his drive to keep going in the music business: “I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to stop. I’m going to succeed. If something is broken, I’m going to f–king fix it.”

Aaron Carter in Cologne, Germany on Nov. 27, 1998.

Aaron Carter is shown performing on stage during a live concert appearance on July 7, 1999.

Aaron Carter, circa 1999.

Aaron Carter attends the World Premiere of “The Rugrats In Paris” on Nov. 5, 2000.

Aaron Carter during Aaron Carter Concert at NY Knicks Kids Day at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 26, 2000.

Nick Carter and Aaron Carter seated in the audience during the 2000 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. December 5, 2000.

Aaron Carter, circa 2000.

Aaron Carter during an interview with host Jay Leno on April 24, 2001.

Aaron Carter and Beyonce Knowles attend the The 28th Annual American Music Awards Columbia Records After Party on  January 8, 2001.

Aaron Carter and his mom at the Nickelodeon’s 14th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards at Barker Hanger in Los Angeles, CA., Saturday, April 21, 2001.

Aaron Carter and Jessica Simpson backstage during 106.1 BLI Long Island Winter Jam 2001 – Backstage at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

Aaron Carter photographed on Oct. 26, 2002.

Aaron Carter performs during Aaron’s Winter Party tour at Compaq Center on February 22, 2002 in San Jose, California.

Hilary Duff and Aaron Carter as they attend the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie on April 26, 2003 in Hollywood, California.

Aaron Carter during Planet Hollywood Hosts Aaron Carter’s and Angel Carter’s 17th Birthday Bash at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on December 7, 2004.

Aaron and Nick Carter aririve for the “Simple Life 2” Welcome Home Party at The Spider Club on April 14, 2004 in Hollywood, California.

Aaron Carter during 2005 MTV Video Music Awards – StyleVilla At The Sagamore Hotel at The Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

Aaron Carter and Angel Carter during Aaron & Angel Carter’s Birthday Party – December 15, 2006 at SHAG Nightclub in Hollywood, California.

Nick Carter and Aaron Carter during E! and STYLE Networks’ TCA Summer Press Tour – July 11, 2006 at Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, California.

Aaron Carter poses with his golden record entitled “Saturday Night” at the XM Radio Studios September 29, 2006 in New York City.

Bobbie Jean Carter, Nick Carter, Leslie Carter, Angel Carter, and Aaron Carter arrive at the Style Network Party At The Summer TCA Tour on July 11, 2006 in Pasadena, California.

Aaron Carter and Kaci Brown arrive at the 33rd Annual People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 9, 2007 in Los Angeles.

Aaron Carter poses with fans at The First Annual San Fernando Valley “Children’s Day” Event at Woodley Park on November 22, 2008 in Van Nuys, California.

Aaron Carter poses for a portrait on January 28, 2008 in Venice, California.

Karina Smirnoff and Aaron Carter visit Millions of Milkshakes on September 23, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Aaron Carter attends Children Uniting Nations’ 11th Annual “Day of The Child” at Barkar Hangar on November 22, 2009 in Santa Monica, California.

Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff on Dancing with the Stars on Nov. 24, 2009.

aaron-carter-2011-billboard-1240

Aaron Carter in Rehearsals with creator Tom Jones for his Off-Broadway stage debut in ‘The Fantasticks’ at Snapple Theater Center in New York City.

aaron-carter-2012-billboard-1240

Aaron Carter attends SiriusXM’s “Dirty Pop With Lance Bass” Radio Talk Show Launch Event on September 13, 2012 in New York City.

Aaron Carter performs at Gramercy Theatre on March 3, 2013 in New York City.

aaron-carter-2015-billboard-1240

Aaron Carter performs on stage at Manchester Academy 3 on January 14, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Aaron Carter celebrates his 30th birthday and the release of his new single “Don’t Say Goodbye” at Il Fornaio on December 7, 2017 in Woodland Hills, California.

Aaron Carter attends “The Night Time Show” Holiday Special benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles hosted by Stephen Kramer Glickman at Hollywood Improv on December 16, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Haze Almarinez plays with a keyboard as Lina Valentina kisses Aaron Carter during his performance during the Pop 2000 Tour at the Fremont Street Experience on July 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aaron Carter During his celebrity boxing match at Showboat Atlantic City on June 11, 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Aaron Carter arrives at the “Kings of Hustler” male revue at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club on February 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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• Carter, Aaron

Aaron Carter Concert Setlists & Tour Dates

• Aaron Carter ( US teen pop vocalist )
• Aaron Carter ( electronic producer, member of Cirrus )

Aaron Carter at Black Horse Bar & Grill, Winona, MN, USA

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Aaron Carter at Granada Theater, Emporia, KS, USA

Aaron carter at whisky a go go, west hollywood, ca, usa, aaron carter at concord music hall, chicago, il, usa, aaron carter at showplace theatre, buffalo, ny, usa, aaron carter at one love bahamas: hurricane dorian benefit concert 2019, aaron carter at harris park, london, on, canada, aaron carter at indiana state fair 2019, aaron carter at the mountain winery, saratoga, ca, usa.

• That's How I Beat Shaq
• Fool's Gold
• What Did You Want to Say?
• Don't Say Goodbye
• Dearly Departed
• Aaron's Party (Come Get It)

Aaron Carter at Pop 2000 2019

Aaron Carter

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Aaron Carter Tour Dates

Singer-songwriter Aaron Carter will be hitting the road again in 2019 supporting his latest album 'LØVË' . The new 26-date trek kicks off January 29th in Las Vegas and runs into March visiting cities like Salt Lake City, Cleveland, Houston, Charlotte and Richmond. Joining the tour on select dates will be special guests Kicking Sunrise . The tour originally launched back in 2017 and was extended into 2018.

Carter released his fifth studio album 'LØVË' on February 16th, 2018 via Sony Music. The new album follows up 2002's 'Another Earthquake!' which reached #18 on the Billboard 200. The pop singer spent most of 2013 touring across North America for his After Party Tour which consisted of 166 shows across America. The following year, he launched his Wonderful World Tour which included another 80 concerts.

Aaron Carter Concert Schedule

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Aaron Carter might soon come to a city near you. Check out the Aaron Carter schedule on this page and click the ticket link to checkout our big selection of tickets. Look through our selection of Aaron Carter front row tickets, luxury boxes and VIP tickets. Once you locate the Aaron Carter tickets you want, you can buy your seats from our safe and secure checkout. Orders taken before 5pm are normally shipped within the same business day. To buy last minute Aaron Carter tickets, look for the eTickets that can be downloaded instantly.

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‘Shocked and saddened’: tributes paid to singer and actor Aaron Carter

Death of 34-year-old former child star and brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter being investigated

Tributes have been paid to Aaron Carter, the former child star who was found dead at his home in southern California at the age of 34 on Saturday.

Carter, brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, began performing at the age of seven and released his self-titled debut album in 1997 when he was nine. He had two UK top 10 hits with Crush On You and Crazy Little Party Girl.

His death is currently being investigated, according to his family, who asked for privacy until further information is available. “We cannot express the outpouring of love coming in,” a statement added.

According to Los Angeles county police, officers attended Carter’s residence in Lancaster, California, on Saturday and found him dead.

The late singer became a global phenomenon following his second album, Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), which was released in 2000, went triple platinum and featured the singles I Want Candy, Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) and That’s How I Beat Shaq.

Carter also supported the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears before he transitioned to making rap music and shed his child star image with a number of face tattoos.

His acting career also included appearances on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and the Broadway musical Seussical, as well as stints on the reality TV programmes Dancing With the Stars and House of Carters.

But the singer had several run-ins with the authorities over drugs possession and reckless driving. He entered a rehab facility after an appearance on the US talkshow The Doctors, where he tested positive for prescription drugs, which he said he took for anxiety and to help him sleep.

Carter’s relationship with his siblings also became strained over the years, and in 2019 his brother Nick was granted a temporary restraining order against him over allegations he threatened to kill Nick’s pregnant wife.

Nick said the legal move came “in light of Aaron’s increasingly alarming behaviour” – allegations Carter said he was “astounded” by at the time. “I do not wish harm to anyone, especially my family,” he added.

Tributes to the late singer began to pour in over the weekend following the news of his death. Nick Carter shared several photographs of the brothers in their youth alongside a lengthy caption on Instagram.

“My heart has been broken today,” he said. “Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held on to the hope, that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed.

“Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss. But the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here.”

Nick concluded the post by saying he’d “miss my brother more than anyone will ever know” and that Aaron would “get a chance to finally have some peace you could never find here on Earth … God, please take care of my baby brother”.

It's been 21 YEARS since the Aaron Carter episode of Lizzie McGuire aired pic.twitter.com/vaaTzQ7uQQ — Lizzie McGuire (@ImLizzieM) November 3, 2022

Actor and singer Hilary Duff, who starred with Carter in Lizzie McGuire, said: “For Aaron – I’m deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in front of the whole world. You had a charm that was absolutely effervescent … boy did my teenage self love you deeply.”

Fellow 90s pop stars New Kids on the Block shared a black and white photo of Carter, writing: “We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter. Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron.”

Boyband NSync wrote: “We are saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Aaron Carter today. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time. Rest In Peace Aaron #gonetoosoon ”.

Singer Diane Warren tweeted: “Fame at a young age is often more a curse than a blessing and surviving it is not easy. RIP Aaron Carter,” while comedian Loni Love recalled meeting Carter in 2018 and described him as “funny, talented and cool”. She added: “I felt that he was trying … he really was just trying to be happy.”

Disney Channel star Christy Carlson Romano said she was “incredibly sad” about the singer’s death, and actor Lou Diamond Phillips described Carter as a “sweet, good-hearted young man”.

We are shocked and saddened about the sudden passing of Aaron Carter. Sending prayers to the Carter family. Rest in peace, Aaron ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rDUcE4i8Iy — New Kids on the Block (@NKOTB) November 5, 2022

In 2013, Carter filed a bankruptcy petition after it emerged that he was more than $2m (£1.8m) in debt, which was predominantly taxes owed to the US government. His fifth and final studio album, Love, was released in 2018, and the singer had his first child, Prince, with his fiancee, Melanie Martin, in 2021.

Following the announcement of Carter’s death, Martin issued a statement saying she was “still in the process of accepting this unfortunate reality”.

Earlier this year Carter told the Daily Mail he no longer wanted to be seen as a “train wreck”.

“I am not how some people try to paint me,” he said. “If somebody wants to call me a train wreck, well I’ve been a train that’s been wrecked multiple times and derailed by many different things.”

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Aaron Carter Sets The Record Straight On Abuse Allegations, Sobriety & Upcoming Tour

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Aaron Carter is an open book about the public spiral he was on a few years back and the damage it caused both himself and his loved ones. However, he's singing a different tune these days as Carter recently became a father and strives to stay on the path of sobriety as he continues to work on bettering himself and planning the next steps for his career.

In an exclusive interview with The Blast, Aaron Carter opened up about the ongoing drama with his ex-fiancee, Melanie Martin , his newborn son and his plans for an upcoming tour and rebranding of his career.

Staying Clean

Aaron Carter has had a wild ride with drugs and has been VERY forthcoming about detailing his throes of addiction. The "Sooner Or Later" singer has struggled with an addiction to huffing and has appeared on many TV shows and magazine covers discussing the topic. It's been a long road for the singer, but he says he has remained sober and deserves the respect of fighting his demons.

"For the last 4 years, I’ve been on an incredible path in my recovery and being a recovering addict," Aaron tells The Blast.

"I want it to be known that it has not been easy for me and every day I continue to grow and learn, I’ve overcome a lot and there’s a huge pattern of that NOT being recognized and I’m tired of not receiving the affirmations I deserve for my accolades. People who go through the disease of addiction deserve that. Too many people don’t give enough credit to those who HAVE turned their life around and I’m taking that respect BACK for all of us who are in recovery."

Allegations of Abuse from Melanie Martin

As The Blast previously reported, Aaron Carter's ex-fiancee has filed court documents accusing the singer of breaking her ribs with a punch – something she later claimed was a false admission and blamed her emotions on postpartum depression.

Although Melanie is claiming Aaron was not violent, he is not so quick to forgive and forget the damage that has been caused by the accusations.

"I understand that my ex is taking back what she said and dropped all charges but what was alleged will never go away," Aaron says.

He explains, "I am also aware she wants to be back with me after falsely accusing me of breaking her ribs. Her ribs were never broken. The public reports show it was a small fracture from a previous injury when she fell down the stairs in late January At this time I cannot say that we are going to be back together.

"Domestic violence is not a joke and if someone commits that on either side of the people involved they deserve to be punished and endure the repercussions of their actions. I am NOT THAT and I will defend and stand by that till the day I die," Carter emphasized.

Aaron Carter's son Prince was born last November, and the baby's arrival had a huge impact on the singer. The fighting between him and Melanie, however, has driven a wedge between Aaron and his son, and the singer claims he has not seen the baby in months.

"My [overall] health and mental health are the most important things for me to maintain aside from the most important aspect out of all of this. MY SON! that is MY child and at the end of the day, she is my “baby momma” as she always likes to say but I was aiming for family and a new chapter in my life to also right my wrongs."

As we previously reported, Aaron has filed for full custody of Prince and claims Melanie is not mentally stable enough to create a safe environment for the baby.

Aaron Carter wants people to know how much he's grown due to years of therapy and hard work ... but he's also not above mixing it up with critics who may judge him without knowing all the facts. He understands mistakes were made in the past but feels that he's addressed them and should be given the same second chances as anyone else.

"I will continue to strive to persevere and overcome every obstacle thrown at me including my relationships with my family ... I just ask and implore everyone to take two steps back and let this man live his life. If I make a mistake that’s on me. That’s not for the public to prosecute me and I’m sure a lot of people have seen the people who love daily to attack me. Well, my response to that is to bring it! I’m in an amazing headspace – worked with my therapist for 3 years now and I’ve grown a lot."

Carter also attributes religion to his newfound focus: "Because of my faith in God and being around positive people has renewed my outlook on life. I’m not perfect I am a work in progress."

Going On Tour ... New King of Pop?

With personal growth comes professional growth, and Aaron Carter is planning his next career moves and letting the world know he's not a kid any longer.

I’m not the little Aaron’s party I want candy singer. I grew up," Aaron declared.

"[My] new music is a testament to that as well not many people can rise from the ashes time and time again. And I am that phoenix and now it’s time for me to fly high."

He's got big goals too because Aaron is gunning for a new title. "I’m about to start my tour in May and rehearsals start soon so it’s my job to go out there and show everyone who the King of Pop is now. Just watch me!"

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How Aaron Carter's Friends Put Together the Posthumous Single 'Grateful': 'He'd Be So Proud' (Exclusive)

Bryan Cassidy and Morgan Matthews teamed up to honor their late friend Aaron Carter with a new single

Just months before his death in 2022, Aaron Carter was at his home studio in California singing about appreciating the important things in life.

“Sunshine through my window, but it’s been a minute since I felt like this/Been a long week but I’m good though, every single breath is is feeling like a gift,” Carter sang on the buoyant “Grateful,” a song cowritten by his close friend Bryan Cassidy.

Carter, 34, died not long after , drowning in his bathtub at home in November 2022 after a mix of drugs left him incapacitated. But his words live on, and Cassidy, along with Carter’s former manager and producer Morgan Matthews, are finally ready to share them with the world.

“This [song] reminds me of the Aaron that I know,” Cassidy tells PEOPLE. “He just sounds so good on it. This is a positive way to remember Aaron.”

Adds Matthews: “He’d be so proud.”

“Grateful” is out now, and features additional vocals recorded by Cassidy after Carter’s death. He and Matthews say that the song’s release is an upbeat way to remember the star, who struggled in his later years with substance abuse and mental health.

Aaron Carter

“It was hard for me to hear the song and record it. I couldn’t record it. I would lose it, I would start crying every time,” he says. “I still kind of am [recovering]. Sometimes I’ll go in my messages and read what he sent me. And you go through that and you realize a good one died young. It just sucks.”

For Cassidy, there’s more than a decade of messages to revisit when he misses his pal. The two first met through a mutual friend around 2012, and forged a fast friendship and collaborative relationship, working on dozens of songs together over the years.

Their bond was rooted in good humor, as Cassidy says the “I Want Candy” singer was “like a little kid — a child at heart.” Fond memories include the time Cassidy slammed him with an ice cream cake while he was sleeping, which Carter found “hilarious.” Then there was the time that the two were driving late at night on an empty road, and Carter hopped in the back seat, leaving the driver’s seat empty.

“I hit the brake and I turned around and this guy’s uncontrollably laughing,” Cassidy recalls. “He was like, ‘You should have seen your face.’ I was like, ‘Bro, we almost died right there.’ He was like, ‘No, I knew you could do it. But you should have seen your face.’”

Though the antics were fun, Cassidy says Carter’s seemingly stunted emotional growth made it difficult for him to take criticism, and his friends say he surrounded himself with enablers who failed to give Carter the tough love needed to avoid temptation.

“[Bryan] is probably his only friend. He didn’t really have any friends,” says Matthews, who managed Carter and helped book his tours after meeting him through Cassidy. “He just had yes men.”

For Cassidy, watching Carter’s downward spiral play out in real time over Instagram Live —the singer would often go live in increasingly disturbing videos that featured him surrounded by guns and inhaling compressed gas from canisters of air — was “incredibly tough.”

“We were trying to get him an intervention,” he says. “I remember I had to stop watching his lives for the last couple months because this really wasn’t Aaron. It made me cry because I was like… it’s not the Aaron I remember.”

Still, there were moments that Carter’s star qualities shined through, especially when he was onstage.

“When he went on the stage, boom. It was like he was the entertainer,” says Matthews. “I’d be driving him to the concert and he’d be tired and stuff and then I’d say, ‘Are you ready to go onstage?’ It didn’t look like he was but then all those people were out there screaming. He would go out there on the stage and he would turn into a different guy. He’d turn into Aaron Carter. I was like, ‘Oh my God, look at this guy!’”

The singer also found joy in his son Prince , whom he welcomed in November 2021 with on-again, off-again girlfriend Melanie Martin.

“At the very, very end, the last couple of days, he really was trying to tighten up [for Prince],” says Cassidy. “I was talking to him every day before. He was very proud of Prince.”

“He loved that child,” adds Matthews.

For now, though, his friends are leaning on the music — just as they think Carter would have wanted.

“How we remember Aaron forever is through his music. I think that if Aaron recorded it, Aaron would want it to be out. Aaron wanted his music to be heard,” says Cassidy. “It’s just bittersweet, because I wish he could see this right now. He was special, that’s for sure.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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Aaron Carter faced ‘nonstop,’ ‘relentless’ cyberbullying before death, manager says

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Aaron Carter‘s former manager has shed some light on the singer’s “nightmare” relationship with haters on social media, weeks after the troubled pop musician was found dead at his Lancaster home earlier this month.

In an interview with Page Six published Friday , Carter’s former manager, Taylor Helgeson, said that cyberbullying “did a number” on the late singer.

“It was nonstop. It was so relentless,” he told Page Six.

Carter, who was open about his mental health struggles, shared in 2019 that he was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. And online detractors didn’t help his situation.

Singer Aaron Carter found dead at Lancaster home

Singer-rapper Aaron Carter was found dead at his home in Southern California. The former child star had struggled with drug use and addiction.

Nov. 5, 2022

“I wouldn’t go as far as to blame that entirely [for Carter’s death], but I watched that break him down over a long period of time,” Helgeson added.

He told Page Six that the “I Want Candy” singer “could not seem to keep himself off” social media and often felt the need to fire back at his trolls.

The manager pointed to a specific instance where Carter was heckled onstage during a live performance. The “That’s How I Beat Shaq” musician kept the show going, seemingly unfazed. But when he left the event, Carter checked social media to read negative reactions, Helgeson said.

“A lot of days, he felt like he had something to prove,” he added. “He could just stand in this mess.”

Aaron Carter denies brother Nick Carter’s allegation that led to restraining order

Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter said Tuesday that he’s seeking a restraining order against his younger brother, fellow pop singer Aaron Carter.

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Carter felt support and love from fans , but the hate “hurt him a lot.”

Helgeson, who previously told Page Six that the singer “looked extremely tired” before his death, also touched on the singer’s complex relationship with older brother and Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter.

The younger Carter intended to build bridges after his public feud with Nick , but wasn’t sure when.

“[Carter] said, ‘When the time is right, we will figure this out,’” Helgeson recalled.

My brother @nickcarter and I have had our ups and downs but at the end of the day he’s always been my inspiration I think a lot of the competition I’ve had was actually just me wanting him to be proud of me. I love you bro #timehealseverything #Aaroncarter — AARON CARTER (@aaroncarter) July 31, 2022

Backstreet Boys and tearful Nick Carter honor ‘little brother’ Aaron Carter in London

Aaron Carter was found dead in his Lancaster home on Saturday. His brother, Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, paid tribute online and in concert.

Nov. 7, 2022

While it’s unclear whether the brothers made amends before Aaron died, Nick paid tribute to his late sibling on Instagram and on tour with the Backstreet Boys.

“I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz. Now you can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth…. I love you baby brother,” Nick wrote on Instagram on Nov. 6.

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Alexandra Del Rosario is an entertainment reporter on the Los Angeles Times Fast Break Desk. Before The Times, she was a television reporter at Deadline Hollywood, where she first served as an associate editor. She has written about a wide range of topics including TV ratings, casting and development, video games and AAPI representation. Del Rosario is a UCLA graduate and also worked at the Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap.

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Nick Carter Pays Tribute to Brother Aaron as Backstreet Boys Go Ahead With London Gig

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Update: The Backstreet Boys paid tribute to Aaron Carter at their concert in London on Sunday night (Nov. 6).

“Tonight we got a little bit of heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday,” said Kevin Richardson as his bandmate – and Aaron’s older brother – Nick Carter fought back tears next to him on stage. “We just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize that Nick’s little brother, Aaron Carter, passed away yesterday at 34 years old. He was a part of our family and we thank you guys for all the love and all the well wishes and all the support.”

Most emotional moment of the Backstreet Boys concert so far. They made a speech about Aaron Carter. Not a dry eye in the o2. pic.twitter.com/YBpTz6neVc — All That Dazzles (@ATDazzles) November 6, 2022

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Just before Richardson’s speech, the band sang “No Place” while a video montage showing each band member with his family played on the screens above the stage. Towards the end of the song the video cut to photographs of Nick with Aaron at different ages, before changing to a photograph of Aaron accompanied by the words “Aaron Carter 1987-2022.”

The Backstreet Boys’ European tour will continue this week as planned, a rep for the band confirmed to Variety .

Previously: Nick Carter paid tribute to his younger brother Aaron, who died at the age of 34 on Saturday.

According to reports, the singer was found unresponsive in his bath at his home in Los Angeles.

Nick Carter is currently in the U.K. on the last leg of the Backstreet Boys’ European tour. The band is set to take the stage at the O2 arena in London on Sunday night (Nov. 6).

In a statement on Instagram, Carter posted a series of images of the brothers together – as children, teens and adults – along with a caption. “My heart has been broken today,” he wrote alongside the photographs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick Carter (@nickcarter)

Among the tens of thousands of replies, Spice Girl Emma Bunton wrote: “I’m heartbroken for you and your family. Sending so much love,” and TikTok star Rod, commented: “Love to you and your family Nick.”

Following the tragic news, there was speculation in the U.K. as to whether the Backstreet Boys’ concert at the O2 arena, which has a 20,000 capacity, would go ahead as planned. On Sunday afternoon (local time) the venue confirmed via Twitter that the band was set to play. “Who’s ready to see @backstreetboys take to the stage tonight? Doors open at 6pm plus there’s a few final seats available,” the O2’s official account tweeted.

Who’s ready to see @backstreetboys take to the stage tonight? Doors open at 6pm plus there’s a few final seats available. Get tickets >>> https://t.co/fmYJT2SnPR pic.twitter.com/21mDx8f2fi — The O2 (@TheO2) November 6, 2022

Earlier in the day the band’s support act, KnowleDJ, posted on Instagram stories he believed the concert would go ahead. “Hi guys, I’m sorry for the confusion,” he wrote. “It’s a really delicate time and this hasn’t been easy for me. And I’m just trying to help. As far as I’m told, the show is happening and I will be there tonight to do my set. But I’d suggest checking the official sites to be sure just in case things change. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and let’s all pray for Nick and his family.”

Neither the Backstreet Boys’ official social media accounts nor the individual band members have publicly mentioned the London gig, however, fans arriving at the venue on Sunday afternoon confirmed on Twitter it appeared to be going ahead.

Just arrived @O2 ready for @backstreetboys concert 😍 it’s defo going ahead #BSB #DNAWorldTour — Carly (@CarlyCarlyscott) November 6, 2022

However, some other events scheduled alongside the tour have been amended or canceled, including a planned meet and greet with Carter’s Backstreet Boys bandmate A.J. McLean organized by nail polish brand Ava Dean Beauty. “Hello Everyone, Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Ava Dean Beauty event scheduled for November 6th, 2022 has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your order will be refunded back to the original payment method in 5-7 business days.” The post was signed off “A.J. and the Ava Dean Beauty Team.”

At a similar meet and greet for the beauty brand, which took place in Germany on Friday, McLean was joined by Carter and fellow Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.

After the London concert, there are only two dates left on the band’s European leg of the tour: Manchester, U.K. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, followed by a stand-alone gig in Belgium on Thursday, Nov. 10. The band then has just under a month’s break until the next U.S. leg of the tour starts on Dec. 6 in Detroit.

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Carter Starocci Opens U.S. Olympic Trials With an Impressive Win

Updates from the U.S. Olympic Trials at Penn State, where the Nittany Lions are taking center stage.

• Author: Mark Wogenrich

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The 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials are underway at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The two-day event will determine who represents Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Sixteen past, present and future Nittany Lions will represent Penn State wrestling at the Olympic Trials. We're updating their progress on Day 1 of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials.

RELATED: David Taylor delivers a recruiting pitch for Penn State wrestling

Carter Starocci falls in second round

After winning his opener in the 86 kg freestyle bracket, Penn State's Carter Starocci faced a tough spot in Round 2. Starocci had about an hour to recover becore facing Trent Hidlay, the NCAA runnerup (to Aaron Brooks) at 197 pounds. By bumping up a weight class in freestyle (he won his NCAA title at 174), Starocci knew this was coming. He and Hidlay wrestled a back-and-forth bout, but Hidlay broke a 3-3 tie with a second-period takedown en route to a 6-4 victory.

Greg Kerkvliet scores an assertive win

Having to wrestle in the same lineup as Aaron Brooks and Carter Starocci pressed Greg Kerkvliet into a bit of a shadow last season. But Kerkvliet was among the nation's most dominant wrestlers, cruising unbeaten through the season to the NCAA title at heavyweight. Kerkvliet now is among the most interesting wrestlers to watch in the 125 kg freestyle class at the Trials.

Kerkvliet dominated his opening bout, a 10-0 technical superiority over Christian Lance. He'll face Nick Gwiazdowski in the challenge bracket's semifinals. Kerkvliet is looking toward a possible championship-series matchup with Mason Parris, to whom he lost in the 2023 NCAA final.

Mitchell Mesenbrink continues scoring

Mitchell Mesenbrink, who reached the final at 165 pounds in his first NCAA tournament, was among Penn State's highest-scoring wrestlers all season. He's in perpetual attack mode, a trait he brought to the Olympic Trials. Mesenbrink, seeded fifth at 74 kg freestyle, dominated Ladarion Lockett for a 13-3 technical superiority win. His next opponent: Jordan Burroughs.

A Penn State legend faces a future legend?

The second round of the 86 kg freestyle tournament brought a fascinating matchup. Aaron Brooks, Penn State's four-time national champion and the challenge bracket's top seed, faced Connor Mirasola, a high school senior from Wisconsin. Mirasola also happens to be a four-time state champ and future Nittany Lions (he'll be a freshman next season). Though Brooks won 11-5, Mirasola acquited himself exceptionally well.

Mirasola, who won his opening bout, took an aggressive tone early, scoring the bout's first takedown. No wrestler during this past dual-meet season or postseason scored a takedown against Brooks. During a second-period stoppage, Penn State legends were all over the mat. Bo Nickal, Penn State's three-time NCAA champ, joined Penn State coach Cael Sanderson in some stoppage-time discussion with Brooks. Those three wrestlers have won a combined 11 NCAA titles.

Jason Nolf looks stout in opener

Jason Nolf, a three-time NCAA champ and Penn State fan favorite, returned to the Bryce Jordan Center seeded second in the 74 kg freestyle challenge tournament. Nolf wrestled sharply in his opener, a 7-2 decision over Alex Marinelli. Nolf has been wrestling freestyle internationally since 2020 and looks for another shot at Kyle Dake, to whom he lost in the 2022 and '23 U.S. World Team Trials.

Carter Starocci rolls in his opener

Carter Starocci's move to the 86 kg freestyle class prompted plenty of curious reaction inside wrestling. Could Starocci, just five weeks after winning an NCAA title with an injured knee, compete in the competitive class ? Great start. Pat Downey, an MMA competitor, led Starocci 4-1 with 2 minutes remaining in the second period, when action was halted as Downey was slow to get up. Follwing the stoppage, Starocci took over. He scored 11 straight points on repetitive takedowns for a commanding 12-4 victory. Starocci took advantage of Downey's fatigue, hitting a six-point move immediately after the stoppage. Starocci's conditioning appears strong.

Carter Starocci with a HUGE second period comeback at #WrestlingTrials24 😤 📺 @peacock pic.twitter.com/lX08x3XhRd — NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) April 19, 2024

Alex Facundo defeats Penn State teammate Levi Haines

Penn State teammates Levi Haines, a two-time NCAA finalist and 2024 champ, and Alex Facundo, who redshirted this season, got things started quickly in the 74 kg challenge tournament. Facundo, who has been wrestling freestyle all season, got the better of Haines for a 6-0 win. Noting the difference between folkstyle and freestyle, Facundo scored his first point when Haines was put on the clock and did not score.

After the victory, Facundo squared off against Jordan Burroughs in Round 2. Despite giving up the first takedown, Burroughs rallied for grueling 5-3 victory over Facundo.

Nick Lee stars strong

Lee, a two-time NCAA champ at Penn State, rolled to a 9-2 win over Alec Pantaleo in the second round at 65 kg freestyle. Lee entered the Trials seeded first in the challenge tournament. Lee led 1-0 in the second when he scored eight straight points to take control of the bout.

Beau Bartlett wins opener, then falls

Penn State's Beau Bartlett wrestled twice within 90 minutes, winning his first bout and falling in his second of the 65 kg freestyle bracket. The 2024 NCAA runnerup at 141 pounds defeated Nahshon Garrett 10-6 to start, hitting an early 4-point move and fending off Garrett's retaliatory push for the victory. Bartlett then faced Andrew Alirez in second round. Alirez, who defeated Bartlett 6-2 in the 2023 NCAA semifinals, broke a 2-2 tie in the second period with a four-point move. Alirez, taking an Olympic redshirt from Northern Colorado, won Friday's freestyle rematch 6-2.

A future Nittany Lion wins early

Connor Mirasola, a four-time Wisconsin state champ who will join Penn State's 2024 roster, opened the 86 kg challenge tournament with an impressive 4-0 win over David McFadden. Mirasola fended off a late takedown attempt to score and complete the shutout. Up next for Mirarola: a second-round date with Aaron Brooks, Penn State's four-time champ.

A few early losses

Vincenzo Joseph, a two-time national champ at Penn State, fell in his opener to Jarrett Jacques 6-6 on criteria in the 74 kg freestyle class. Max Dean, a 2022 national champ, entered into the stacked 86 kg freestyle class. He lost in a 13-1 technical fall to Evan Wick. At 86 kg, Mark Hall (a 2017 NCAA champ for Penn State) fell 5-2 to Alex Dieringer.

At 57 kg freestyle, Nico Megaludis (a Penn State national champ in 2016) fell 8-0 to Spencer Lee, the three-time NCAA champ at Iowa. Lee and Megaludis both went to Franklin Regional High near Pittsburgh.

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.

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Taylor Swift Reveals First Single From New Album—Featuring Another Major Star

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Taylor Swift announced Thursday the first single from her new album, “ The Tortured Poets Department ,” will be “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, with a music video premiering Friday night—an early detail from the billionaire pop star’s latest album.

Billionaire popstar Taylor Swift announced the album’s lead single on Thursday afternoon, just hours ... [+] before “The Tortured Poets Department” drops.

Swift made the announcement on social media, saying, “I’ve been such a huge fan of Post because of the writer he is, his musical experimentation and those melodies he creates that just stick in your head forever.”

Swift previously announced she would be premiering a music video Friday at 8 p.m. EDT, but did not confirm which song it would be for—though fan theories suspected it was “Fortnight (feat. Post Malone).”

Surprising Fact

The Swift song marks Post Malone’s second big collaboration of the year. He was featured on Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” album that was released earlier this month, appearing on the song “Levii’s Jeans.” As of 2:20 p.m. EDT, Post Malone had not posted anything about the song release or video. After it was first announced he would appear on the album earlier this year, he said of Swift : “She's so sweet and so kind and talented and she hit me up and said, ‘Let's do it.’ And I was like, ‘Hell yeah.’”

Key Background

Post Malone is one of two featured artists on Swift’s new album, the other being Florence + The Machine on the song, “Florida!!!” “The Tortured Poets Department,” which Swift first announced at the Grammys in February after winning Best Pop Vocal Album for “Midnights,” will be released at 12 a.m. EDT Friday. The album has 16 songs and four bonus tracks, each of which will be released across four variations of the album available on vinyl. Aside from Post Malone and Florence Welch, Swift collaborated with producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, who have worked with the popstar on her most recent albums. Swift has dominated pop culture in recent years, with her last new album “Midnights” selling millions of units and her Eras world tour grossing upwards of $1 billion .

What To Watch For

If Swift breaks her own streaming records . She currently holds the record for the biggest first-week debut for an album this decade, with “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” which debuted atop the Billboard charts in October with 1.653 million units based on sales and streaming figures. Prior to that, she previously held the record for her album, “folklore,” which had 846,000 units, and “Midnights,” which beat out “folklore” with 1.578 million units in its first week in 2022.

Forbes Valuation

Forbes estimates Swift to be worth $1.1 billion as of Thursday. She became a billionaire in October, in large part due to the success of her Eras Tour.

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Penn State wrestling's road to the Olympics: Day 1 Live updates from U.S. Olympic Trials

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State wrestling is expected to put on a nationwide show this weekend at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The university is hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestling Trials , which will headline so many performers with strong ties to the Nittany Lions.

Seventeen freestyle wrestlers across six weight classes are future, present or past Penn State wrestlers — the program that recently won the NCAA Championships in record fashion. That includes reigning Olympic gold medalist David Taylor and recent four-time NCAA champ Aaron Brooks, who may duel again at 86 kilograms.

More: How to watch Penn State wrestling in 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: TV streaming, tickets

There will be three former YAIAA wrestlers competing, as well: Penn State sophomore and NCAA champ Levi Haines (Biglerville grad) and Kennard-Dale High brothers Chance Marsteller and John Stefanowicz .

All of the action begins at 10 a.m. Friday, the first of four sessions concluding with Saturday night's championship finals.

When is Penn State wrestling in the NCAA Wrestling Championships?

∎ Friday:  Challenge Tournament preliminaries, quarterfinals and consolations, 10 a.m.; Challenge Tournament semifinals and finals, 6:30 p.m.

∎ Saturday: Championship Series (rounds 1 and 2) and Challenge Tournament consolations and third-place matches, 10 a.m.; Championship Series (rounds 2 and 3); 6:30 p.m.

U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials live Penn State updates

Follow along with live updates from Friday's opening rounds right here by REFRESHING your browser and scrolling down. Or follow York Daily Record Penn State beat writer Frank Bodani on X (formally Twitter).

86 kilograms: Aaron Brooks ends night on dramatic rally

How did Aaron Brooks pull that off?

The Penn State four-time NCAA champ struggled early in all three of his matches today − but was truly on the verge of losing for the first time in nearly a year in Friday night's finale at 86 kilos.

He trailed Zahid Valencia for nearly all of this Challenge Tournament final, then looked to an almost certain loser on criteria, 6-6, until the final seven seconds.

That's when Valencia was penalized a point for pulling Brooks' singlet during a frantic drive at the end.

The call stood, Brooks ran out the clock and advances.

He'll face David "Magic Mac" Taylor in Saturday's best-of-three finals.

Taylor was the last man to beat him last summer.

74 kilograms: Jason Nolf defeats Jordan Burroughs

Penn State's Jason Nolf kept getting points taken away by challenge calls.

Finally, he got a big takedown to stand early in the second period, to the loud, relieved cheers of the BJC faithful: He was on his to taking down Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs.

Nolf, the three-time PSU national champ, strangled Burroughs' offense and won, 3-0.

Nolf will take on Nittany Lion Wresting Club teammate Kyle Dake in tomorrow's best-of-three final series.

87 kilograms (Greco-Roman): John Stefanowicz loses on criteria

York County's John Stefanowicz's repeat shot to make the Olympic Greco-Roman team ended in heartbreaking fashion.

He led much of his semifinals match, 1-0, before Payton Jacobson tied it. Though neither wrestler could find any more offense, the pressure was on Stefanowicz.

He couldn't come through.

Since Jacobson scored last he won the tie match on criteria.

86 kilograms: Chance Marsteller's magic runs out

Chance Marsteller's inspiring run to tomorrow's finals at 86 kilos ended abruptly, quietly.

The former Kennard-Dale star couldn't find any offense against the much taller Zahid Valencia, who earned a bye to the semifinals and was wrestling for the first time in the tournament. This, however, was Marsteller's third match of the day.

Valencia scored early and simply walled off Marsteller to win, 3-0.

Marsteller had pulled out a dramatic 4-2 victory over Trent Hidlay earlier in the night.

86 kilograms: Aaron Brooks rallies to make Challenge Tournament final

Penn State's four-time NCAA champ struggled again early in his second Friday Olympic Trials match.

This time, he recovered nicely, storming past Alex Dieringer in the second period, 8-4.

He'll meet former Arizona State star Zahid Valencia a bit later tonight.

65 kilograms: A Penn State final coming - Zain Retherford vs. Nick Lee

Penn State will own the 65 kilogram final tomorrow morning.

It took narrow, one-point wins to do it.

Former Penn State star and 65 kilos favorite Zain Retherford defeated Ohio State NCAA champ Jesse Mendez, 3-2. On the match beside him, another Nittany Lion NCAA champ Nick Lee overcame an early deficit to underdog Andrew Alirez − then held on to win, 10-9.

57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman, Nittany Lion Wrestling Club

Former Iowa star Thomas Gilman jumped out quickly in his 57 kilos Challenge Tournament semifinal.

Gilman led Daton Fix (Oklahoma State), 4-0, to start the second period then stonewalled his opponent the rest of the way.

He eventually won 6-0, earning his place against another Iowa hero, Spencer Lee, tomorrow morning in their best-of-three finals series.

62 kilograms: Jen Page, Nittany Lion Wrestling Club

Women's freestyle favorite Jen Page (Oklahoma City) trailed early against Mallory Velte.

The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club standout did rally for second-period leads in their 62 kilos match but could never pull away.

Page hung on to win, 8-7.

125 kilograms: Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet falls late

Greg Kerkvliet's Olympic Team starter quest ended with a second period meltdown to Nick Gwiazdowski.

Gwiazdowski is considered the most accomplished wrestler in the 125 kilo Challenge Tournament. He was a two-time NCAA champ at N.C. State and a two-time world bronze medalist.

Kerkvliet, who just completed an undefeated national championship heavyweight season, led 1-0 into the second period. But he gave up the tying point before suffering two takedowns in the final minute to lose and fall into the consolation bracket.

74 kilograms: Jason Nolf wins, Mitch Mesenbrink falls

Mitch Mesenbrink's high-scoring, never-stop arsenal of moves hit a wall against the Olympic gold medalist.

The Penn State star freshman couldn't find any offense against U.S. wrestling hero Jordan Burroughs in their heavily-anticipated 74 kilogram match.

Burroughs, one of the most decorated U.S. wrestlers of all-time, defeated Mesenbrink, 8-3.

But the victory was not without some controversy. Near the end, Burroughs frustratingly shoved Mesenbrink hard in the head after the Nittany Lion kept driving his legs out of bounds, getting hit with a officials' warning.

He would leave the mat and the BJC arena floor to boos from the partisan crowd, who didn't like his tactics, his victory or his coach goading fans as they walked away.

Meanwhile, on a side-by-side mat, former PSU national champ Jason Nolf dominated Jarrett Jacques, 9-2, to move on.

Nolf and Burroughs meet for some fireworks a bit later in the Challenge Tournament finals.

Brotherly second round: Chance Marsteller, John Stefanowicz

York County brothers Chance Marsteller and John Stefanowicz wrestled side-by-side for a second time at today's Olympic Trials.

Marsteller on mat two; Stefanowicz on mat three.

And they both, somehow, won again.

This time, Marsteller, the No. 2 freestyle seed at 86 kilos, faced Trent Hidlay, an NCAA runner-up last month in Kansas City. And Marsteller escaped with a last-moment takedown to rally from a one-point deficit to win, 4-2.

Stefanowicz fought with Mahmoud Sebie in their Greco-Roman 87k match. Sebie was a 2016 Olympian for Egypt and has starred in MMA competition.

Stefanowicz took his match, 3-0.

The brotherly dream rolls on.

U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, Penn State-style, Take Two ...

Plenty of Penn State wrestlers will star in tonight's second round of these Olympic Trials at the BJC.

One of the big headliners will be freshman sensation Mitch Mesenbrink, who will take on U.S. wrestling hero Jordan Burroughs in the 74 kilogram class.

Others to watch include Zain Retherford and Nick Lee in 65 kilos, Jason Nolf in 74 kilos, Aaron Brooks at 86K and Greg Kerkvliet at 125K.

Also: York County brothers Chance Marsteller (86K) and John Stefanowicz (Greco-Roman, 87K) may wrestle simultaneously again, just like in the early session. Both are up second on mats two and three.

57 kilograms: Luke Lilledahl wraps up early Penn State wrestling action

Penn State recruit Luke Lilledahl scored last to tie his consolation match and won on criteria to stay alive in his first Olympic Trials.

Lilledahl beat Liam Cronin (2-2) and will wrestle again this evening. He will battle to start at 125 pounds for Cael Sanderson's Nittany Lions next season.

Lilledahl's bout concluded Penn State-related action in the opening session. Wrestling resumes at 6:30 p.m.

65 kilograms: Beau Bartlett stunned in late loss

Penn State's Beau Bartlett may have suffered the most excruciating defeat of the entire opening Trials session.

First, he rallied to tie Joey McKenna in a 65 kilograms consolation match, 2-2 − then appeared to storm to the lead. He nearly pinned McKenna and rolled him a few times but was awarded no points.

A challenge from his corner was denied on review.

Then, at the end, Bartlett was awarded with what appeared to be the winning takedown points as time ran out. However, McKenna's challenge was upheld − the points were not secured on review.

Bartlett lost, 3-2, finishing his Olympic Trials.

57 kilograms: Spence Lee roars past PSU's Nico Megaludis

Former Penn State NCAA champ Nico Megaludis struggled big in his early-afternoon opening.

Iowa's Spencer Lee, another former NCAA champ, blasted Megaludis 8-0. Lee was a gold medal performer at the 2023 Bill Farrell and Senior Nationals events.

57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman, Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, survive scare

Iowa grad Thomas Gilman, who trains with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, had his hands full with 17-year-old sensation Jax Forrest.

The Olympic bronze medalist rallied late for a 5-4 lead to end the first period at 57 kilos.

The two battled hard for scoreless second, Gilman hanging on to advance.

125 kilograms: Greg Kerkvliet crushes, moves on to semifinals

Penn State NCAA heavyweight champ Greg Kerkvliet made quick work of his opening Trials opponent.

Kerkvliet won on technical superiority, 10-0, over Christian Lance with more than two minutes left in the match.

74 kilograms: Jason Nolf, Mitch Mesenbrink roll early

Former Nittany Lion star Jason Nolf (three-time NCAA champ) and up-and-coming star Mitch Mesenbrink (freshman NCAA runner-up) earned big victories in their first matches of the Trials' Challenge Tournament.

Nolf went up 7-0 before securing a 7-3 victory over Alex Marinelli. Mesenbrink, driving the action furiously as usual, won by technical superiority, 13-3.

Mesenbrink gets Olympic star Jordan Burroughs, this evening.

74 kilograms: Nittany Lion loses tough to the legend, Jordan Burroughs

Penn State sophomore-to-be Alex Facundo (Olympic redshirt year) led legendary Jordan Burroughs early at 74 kilos.

Facundo was up 2-0 before ending the first period in a tie to the former Olympic gold medalist.

But Burroughs methodically pulled away, never risking much, scoring only when absolutely necessary.

He beat Facundo, 5-3.

86 kilograms: Carter Starocci finally 'loses'

Four-time Penn State national champ Carter Starocci lost for the first time on the mat in more than a year.

The senior with the injured right knee lost to Trent Hidlay, the NCAA runner-up at 197 pounds, 6-4. It was his first competitive defeat since his match at Iowa in the winter of 2023. (He took two injury default defeats at the Big Ten Championships in early March).

Starocci can wrestle for third place at 86 kilograms.

Brothers Chance Marsteller, John Stefanowicz wrestle side-by-side

Kennard-Dale High grads and brothers Chance Marsteller and John Stefanowicz may have pulled an Olympic Trials' first: wrestling on side-by-side mats.

Marsteller took down longtime rival Evan Wick, 6-0, in his opening 86 kilogram match.

Meanwhile, Stefanowicz dominated in his opening 87 kilos Greco-Roman match, winning 8-0 on technical superiority.

86 kilograms: Aaron Brooks recovers, Mark Hall falls

Penn State four-time national champ and fan favorite Aaron Brooks took down a potential future Nittany Lion star.

Brooks pulled away late from incoming Nittany Lion Connor Mirasola, winning 11-5. The match, though, began with Brooks suffering a takedown for the first time in 2024. No opponent could score like that on him during his entire undefeated run to his NCAA title at 197 pounds last month.

Meanwhile, former PSU national champ Mark Hall dropped his opening 86 kilogram match to Alex Dieringer, 5-2.

65 kilograms: Beau Bartlett loses, drops into consolation bracket

Beau Bartlett rallied to tie his second-round 65 kilos match early but couldn't sustain his momentum.

The Penn State national runner-up at 141 pounds couldn't find any offense in the second period. He lost to former Northern Colorado wrestler Andrew Alirez, 6-2.

The defeat prevents Bartlett from meeting top seed and PSU national champ Nick Lee later today.

65 kilograms: Nick Lee dominates in first match

Two-time NCAA champ Nick Lee, the No. 1 seed at 65 kilos, crushed Alec Pantaleo in his opening Trials competition here.

He ripped off a 9-0 lead to big cheers from the three-quarters-filled Bryce Jordan Center.

He held strong in the final two minutes for the 9-2 victory.

57 kilograms: Luke Lilledahl rallies late for victory

Penn State recruit Luke Lilledahl came from behind in the final moments for a 3-2 opening victory at 57 kilos over Daniel Deshazer.

The Wyoming Seminary wrestler will join Cael Sanderson's team in the fall.

74 kilograms: Vincenzo Joseph, Penn State wrestling loses second

Two-time NCAA champ Vincenzo Joseph dropped the toughest opening match at 74 kilos.

The former Nittany Lion lost to Jarrett Jacques, 6-6, on criteria.

86 kilograms: Carter Starocci rallies to win big

The Penn State fans here roared as four-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci made his triumphant opening.

Down early in his opening match with Baltimore's Patric Downey (Iowa State grad), Starocci stormed back for the 12-4 victory.

He was helped, it seemed, by Downey struggling with a leg injury midway through their match.

Starocci now prepares to meet NCAA runner-up at 197 ponds, Trent Hidlay.

74 kilograms: Levi Haines vs. Alex Facundo

Penn State sophomore-to-be Alex Facundo made an early affirming statement on his Olympic redshirt year.

He completely shut down PSU national champ Levi Haines this morning in their opening bout at 74 kilos. Facundo beat the sophomore national champ, 6-0.

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, one of the most accomplished USA wrestlers of all time, is up next for Facundo.

86 kilograms: Connor Mirasola posts shutout

Penn State recruit Connor Mirasola started his Trials with a 4-0 victory over David McFadden at 86 kilos.

Mirasola will be a Nittany Lion in the fall.

Next up for him?

Just Penn State four-time NCAA champ Aaron Brooks.

Beau Bartlett opens Penn State wrestling with victory

Penn State's Beau Bartlett started out his Olympic quest in winning fashion here in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Bartlett, the national runner-up at 141 pounds, defeated older, nationally-accomplished Nahshon Garrett, 10-6, in today's opening of the 65 kilogram weight class competition.

Bartlett led 5-2 and then 9-6 in his rapid-fire match against Garrett, a 2016 Cornell grad and member of Team USA.

Beau Bartlett, Penn State wrestling kicking off Olympic Trials

National runner-up Beau Bartlett will be one of the first Penn State wrestlers to go in this morning's opening of the U.S. Olympic Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Bartlett will take on Nahshon Garrett, a 2016 Cornell grad, in the 65 kilogram class on mat two (four-mat stage setup here). Green trains with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club and is a member of Team USA.

Other assignments this morning:

Penn State's Carter Starocci vs. Patrick Downey (86 kilos) on mat 1; Max Dean vs. Evan Wick (86 kilos) on mat 2 and a PSU battle between Levi Haines vs. Alex Facundo on mat 4.

Penn State wrestling, U.S. Olympic Trials countdown is on

A stunning six members of the current national championship Penn State wrestling team are scheduled to participate in today's opening of the Olympic Trials Challenge Tournament.

That's more than half of their starting lineup competing for a spot on the Olympic team.

Kind of incredible.

Action begins soon.

▶ Here's what to know about the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials this weekend at Penn State

▶ will 'penn state wrestlers' dominate u.s. olympic trials who they are, how they got here, ▶ who stands in aaron brooks' way at the u.s. olympic wrestling trials, ▶ the dream road: how chance marsteller, penn state wrestlers clash at olympic trials.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn State wrestling's road to the Olympics: Day 1 Live updates from U.S. Olympic Trials

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Album review

On ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ Taylor Swift Could Use an Editor

Over 16 songs (and a second LP), the pop superstar litigates her recent romances. But the themes, and familiar sonic backdrops, generate diminishing returns.

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By Lindsay Zoladz

If there has been a common thread — an invisible string, if you will — connecting the last few years of Taylor Swift’s output, it has been abundance.

Nearly 20 years into her career, Swift, 34, is more popular and prolific than ever, sating her ravenous fan base and expanding her cultural domination with a near-constant stream of music — five new albums plus four rerecorded ones since 2019 alone. Her last LP, “Midnights” from 2022, rolled out in multiple editions, each with its own extra songs and collectible covers. Her record-breaking Eras Tour is a three-and-a-half-hour marathon featuring 40-plus songs, including the revised 10-minute version of her lost-innocence ballad “All Too Well.” In this imperial era of her long reign, Swift has operated under the guiding principle that more is more.

What Swift reveals on her sprawling and often self-indulgent 11th LP, “The Tortured Poets Department,” is that this stretch of productivity and commercial success was also a tumultuous time for her, emotionally. “I can read your mind: ‘She’s having the time of her life,’” Swift sings on “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” a percolating track that evokes the glitter and adoration of the Eras Tour but admits, “All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting ‘more.’” And yet, that’s exactly what she continues to provide, announcing two hours after the release of “Poets” that — surprise! — there was a second “volume” of the album, “The Anthology,” featuring 15 additional, though largely superfluous, tracks.

Gone are the character studies and fictionalized narratives of Swift’s 2020 folk-pop albums “Folklore” and “Evermore.” The feverish “Tortured Poets Department” is a full-throated return to her specialty: autobiographical and sometimes spiteful tales of heartbreak, full of detailed, referential lyrics that her fans will delight in decoding.

Swift doesn’t name names, but she drops plenty of boldfaced clues about exiting a long-term cross-cultural relationship that has grown cold (the wrenching “So Long, London”), briefly taking up with a tattooed bad boy who raises the hackles of the more judgmental people in her life (the wild-eyed “But Daddy I Love Him”) and starting fresh with someone who makes her sing in — ahem — football metaphors (the weightless “The Alchemy”). The subject of the most headline-grabbing track on “The Anthology,” a fellow member of the Tortured Billionaires Club whom Swift reimagines as a high school bully, is right there in the title’s odd capitalization: “thanK you aIMee.”

At times, the album is a return to form. Its first two songs are potent reminders of how viscerally Swift can summon the flushed delirium of a doomed romance. The opener, “Fortnight,” a pulsing, synth-frosted duet with Post Malone, is chilly and controlled until lines like “I love you, it’s ruining my life” inspire the song to thaw and glow. Even better is the chatty, radiant title track , on which Swift’s voice glides across smooth keyboard arpeggios, self-deprecatingly comparing herself and her lover to more daring poets before concluding, “This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’re modern idiots.” Many Swift songs get lost in dense thickets of their own vocabulary, but here the goofy particularity of the lyrics — chocolate bars, first-name nods to friends, a reference to the pop songwriter Charlie Puth ?! — is strangely humanizing.

For all its sprawl, though, “The Tortured Poets Department” is a curiously insular album, often cradled in the familiar, amniotic throb of Jack Antonoff’s production. ( Aaron Dessner of the National, who lends a more muted and organic sensibility to Swift’s sound, produced and helped write five tracks on the first album, and the majority of “The Anthology.”) Antonoff and Swift have been working together since he contributed to her blockbuster album “1989” from 2014, and he has become her most consistent collaborator. There is a sonic uniformity to much of “The Tortured Poets Department,” however — gauzy backdrops, gently thumping synths, drum machine rhythms that lock Swift into a clipped, chirping staccato — that suggests their partnership has become too comfortable and risks growing stale.

As the album goes on, Swift’s lyricism starts to feel unrestrained, imprecise and unnecessarily verbose. Breathless lines overflow and lead their melodies down circuitous paths. As they did on “Midnights,” internal rhymes multiply like recitations of dictionary pages: “Camera flashes, welcome bashes, get the matches, toss the ashes off the ledge,” she intones in a bouncy cadence on “Fresh Out the Slammer,” one of several songs that lean too heavily on rote prison metaphors. Narcotic imagery is another inspiration for some of Swift’s most trite and head-scratching writing: “Florida,” apparently, “is one hell of a drug.” If you say so!

That song , though, is one of the album’s best — a thunderous collaboration with the pop sorceress Florence Welch, who blows in like a gust of fresh air and allows Swift to harness a more theatrical and dynamic aesthetic. “Guilty as Sin?,” another lovely entry, is the rare Antonoff production that frames Swift’s voice not in rigid electronics but in a ’90s soft-rock atmosphere. On these tracks in particular, crisp Swiftian images emerge: an imagined lover’s “messy top-lip kiss,” 30-something friends who “all smell like weed or little babies.”

It would not be a Swift album without an overheated and disproportionately scaled revenge song, and there is a doozy here called “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?,” which bristles with indignation over a grand, booming palette. Given the enormous cultural power that Swift wields, and the fact that she has played dexterously with humor and irony elsewhere in her catalog, it’s surprising she doesn’t deliver this one with a (needed) wink.

Plenty of great artists are driven by feelings of being underestimated, and have had to find new targets for their ire once they become too successful to convincingly claim underdog status. Beyoncé, who has reached a similar moment in her career, has opted to look outward. On her recently released “Cowboy Carter,” she takes aim at the racist traditionalists lingering in the music industry and the idea of genre as a means of confinement or limitation.

Swift’s new project remains fixed on her internal world. The villains of “The Tortured Poets Department” are a few less famous exes and, on the unexpectedly venomous “But Daddy I Love Him,” the “wine moms” and “Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best” who cluck their tongues at our narrator’s dating decisions. (Some might speculate that these are actually shots at her own fans.) “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” is probably the most satisfyingly vicious breakup song Swift has written since “All Too Well,” but it is predicated on a power imbalance that goes unquestioned. Is a clash between the smallest man and the biggest woman in the world a fair fight?

That’s a knotty question Swift might have been more keen to untangle on “Midnights,” an uneven LP that nonetheless found Swift asking deeper and more challenging questions about gender, power and adult womanhood than she does here. It is to the detriment of “The Tortured Poets Department” that a certain starry-eyed fascination with fairy tales has crept back into Swift’s lyricism. It is almost singularly focused on the salvation of romantic love; I tried to keep a tally of how many songs yearningly reference wedding rings and ran out of fingers. By the end, this perspective makes the album feel a bit hermetic, lacking the depth and taut structure of her best work.

Swift has been promoting this poetry-themed album with hand-typed lyrics, sponsored library installations and even an epilogue written in verse. A palpable love of language and a fascination with the ways words lock together in rhyme certainly courses through Swift’s writing. But poetry is not a marketing strategy or even an aesthetic — it’s a whole way of looking at the world and its language, turning them both upside down in search of new meanings and possibilities. It is also an art form in which, quite often and counter to the governing principle of Swift’s current empire, less is more.

Sylvia Plath once called poetry “a tyrannical discipline,” because the poet must “go so far and so fast in such a small space; you’ve got to burn away all the peripherals.” Great poets know how to condense, or at least how to edit. The sharpest moments of “The Tortured Poets Department” would be even more piercing in the absence of excess, but instead the clutter lingers, while Swift holds an unlit match.

Taylor Swift “The Tortured Poets Department” (Republic)

Inside the World of Taylor Swift

A Triumph at the Grammys: Taylor Swift made history  by winning her fourth album of the year at the 2024 edition of the awards, an event that saw women take many of the top awards .

‘The T ortured Poets Department’: Poets reacted to Swift’s new album name , weighing in on the pertinent question: What do the tortured poets think ?  

In the Public Eye: The budding romance between Swift and the football player Travis Kelce created a monocultural vortex that reached its apex  at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Ahead of kickoff, we revisited some key moments in their relationship .

Politics (Taylor’s Version): After months of anticipation, Swift made her first foray into the 2024 election for Super Tuesday with a bipartisan message on Instagram . The singer, who some believe has enough influence  to affect the result of the election , has yet to endorse a presidential candidate.

Conspiracy Theories: In recent months, conspiracy theories about Swift and her relationship with Kelce have proliferated , largely driven by supporters of former President Donald Trump . The pop star's fans are shaking them off .