This photo of Lou Pearlman seemed to be begging for a caption, something like “It was awesome!” Or simply, “Boys!” But both of these felt really wrong. In case you aren’t sure who that big old fat dude is, he’s the puppet master behind such boy band phenomenons as The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC (and their insignificant copycats Take 5 and LFO). The problem is, he not only made these guys, he also maybe molested them. According to a new Vanity Fair article, Pearlman allegedly preyed on his young future stars, and traded sexual favors with promises of boy band stardom. His former assistant said, “I would absolutely say the guy was a sexual predator. All the talent knew what Lou’s game was. Some guys joked about it. I remember [one singer] asking me, ‘Have you let Lou [fellate] you yet?’ ”

Apparently Nick Carter, the youngest Backstreeter, was the main target of Pearlman’s, er…affection. One former BSB member said that Lou was “definitely inappropriate” with the star, and Nick’s own mom revealed, “Certain things happened and it almost destroyed our family. I tried to warn everyone. I tried to warn all the mothers . . . I tried to expose him for what he was years ago.”

Damn. Maybe this explains all of Nick’s sh*tastic life choices thus far. Paris Hilton, the House of Carters TV show, that hair-do - there’s a reason the guy’s so messed up! Pearlman’s currently in jail for bank fraud, so boy bands across the country should feel safe to continue ruining radio with their crappy make out jams. As for Pearlman - Nick Carter’s got big muscles and one crazy brother. We hope one day he can put them to good use. [NY Post]

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