21st April, 2021 -
Child
Another baby for this Backstreet Boy! Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt’s third child arrived on Wednesday, April 21, the couple exclusively revealed to Us Weekly.
“We are proud to announce that our baby has officially arrived,” the singer told Us on Thursday, April 22. “But as a parent knows all too well, sometimes things don’t turn out how you plan it. We have been experiencing some minor complications, but things are improving after the first night.”
Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter and his wife, Lauren Kitt, have chosen Pearl for their 6-week-old daughter.
Meet Pearl! Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt have finally shared the name of their third child one month after she was born.
Pearl, born on April 21, joined brother Odin, 5, and 20-month-old sister, Saoirse.
“Funny enough, that (Pearl) was the name Lauren wanted to give to [our eldest daughter] Saoirse,” Carter, 41, told Us Weekly. “Essentially, we gave up on the name, but Lauren liked Pearl. Then we discovered that we were going to have another baby. That’s when I was like, ‘Listen, let’s go with what you wanted.’ So she became Pearl.”
Pearl was a top 25 name in the late nineteenth century, but then it cooled for many years, according to Nameberry.com. It re-entered the top 1000 in 2010.
Kitt was drawn to the moniker because of how easily it rolls off the tongue.
“We needed something easier to say than Saoirse,” she said.
On April 22, Carter announced the birth of their youngest child on Twitter, revealing that she had “been experiencing some minor complications” during her arrival. But one week later, they took their new daughter home to meet siblings Odin and Saoirse.
The boy band member also shared an Instagram photo of himself looking visibly distressed in a surgical cap and scrubs.
“Yes, I’m a believer. I ask God to give us strength to protect mommy and baby,” he captioned the image.
Five days later, Kitt and Pearl were discharged from the hospital.
“Ok everyone, I wanted to let you know that finally, we are home safe and sound,” Carter wrote on Twitter. “Baby is doing so much better.”
Carter also introduced Pearl to his 1.6 million Instagram followers. "Here’s she is. ❤️ We are proud to finally give you all a first glance of our little princess Pearl. ❤️," he captioned a video of the adorable baby sleeping on his chest.
Kitt, 38, joked that they chose a name with one syllable because "we needed something easier to say than Saoirse."
After watching 2014's Song of the Sea, the couple chose Saoirse's moniker. "I fell in love with this little girl character who was, like, the little sister of this older blonde boy," Carter explained. "They were brother and sister, and her name is Saoirse."
Kitt said the toddler is "lovely and talkative for her age. "She’s just a joy to be around right now, watching her explore, discover, and learn."
She's also following in her father's footsteps. "Saoirse's into music and loves to dance," the House of Carters alum gushed. She loves '80s music like me, so I can always put it on. She’ll sit there and watch these old music videos."
Meanwhile, Odin is a "nature boy." Carter says their eldest "loves bugs and science projects and is analytic." "I would try to put music videos on, but he’s like, 'Eh, whatever.' Or if I try playing sports with him, he’s like, 'Eh, whatever.'"
In January, the Masked Singer alum took to social media to announce that the personal trainer, 37, was pregnant and that they were expecting with baby No. 3, a third child — but did not anticipate conceiving naturally again after "multiple miscarriages." “Sometimes life blesses you with little surprises,” the New York native captioned an Instagram video showing an ultrasound.
"I didn't have any symptoms; I didn't have anything indicating that I was pregnant," Kitt told PEOPLE after she learned she was five and a half months pregnant. "I thought I had a tumor because there was just no way that I could be pregnant, from just my medical history and the things I did to ensure that I just had my two children."
Carter, the father of son Odin, 4, and daughter Saoirse, 18 months, couldn’t “believe there [was] another one on the way,” he wrote via Instagram the following month. “Always watching over them.”
After six years of dating, the Grammy nominee and Kitt tied the knot in April 2014 in Santa Barbara, California. In October of the following year, they announced they were “happy and overjoyed” to start a family.
Odin arrived in April 2016. “One month of pure oxytocin,” Kitt captioned her baby boy’s Instagram debut. Thank you, Odin, for choosing us to be your parents. We are forever changed and immensely grateful for you.”
The little one learned he would become a big brother three years later. “Thank You, God, for giving us the greatest gift we could ever ask for. #pregnant,” the “Quit Playing Games” singer captioned his May 2019 Instagram reveal.
The fitness guru added with her own post: “Day at the park in Amsterdam turned into an impromptu family photo op and baby bump reveal. Loving these moments with my boys.”
The Los Angeles native gave birth to Saoirse in October 2019, and Us Weekly exclusively revealed her name at the time. “Mom and daughter are doing great,” a rep for the couple told Us.
Between their two eldest children, the actress suffered multiple miscarriages. “God give us peace during this time,” Carter tweeted after a September 2018 pregnancy loss. “I was really looking forward to meeting her after 3 months. I’m heartbroken.”
During a Dancing With the Stars episode, Kitt said that her husband had a “hard” time with their multiple miscarriages. “Just watching him get so excited about something and then to just see him so hurt, that was hard,” Kitt said in 2015.
After becoming a mom, the writer gushed via Instagram that she feels “beyond grateful” for her family. “These are the best moments.”
2nd October, 2019 -
Child
Welcome to the world! One week after Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt’s daughter arrived, the couple exclusively debuted her with Us Weekly.
Their bundle of joy is named Saoirse Reign Carter. In the little one’s first photos with her parents, she slept peacefully in the Backstreet Boys member’s arms while wrapped in a brown blanket.
Us broke the news that the singer, 39, and the fitness guru, 36, welcomed their second child on October 2. (Big brother Odin, 3, was born in 2016.) “Mom and daughter are doing great,” a rep from EMC Bowery confirmed to Us at the time.
The New York native shared a close-up pic of his baby girl’s hand wrapped around his finger on Instagram. “Daddy’s little girl,” Carter captioned the sweet shot.
He and the Pro Derm Aesthetics cofounder announced in May that they were expecting baby No. 2. “Thank You, God for giving us the greatest gift we could ever ask for. #happiness #family,” the Grammy nominee captioned the Instagram reveal then.
Kitt added with her own post: “Day at the park in Amsterdam turned into an impromptu family photo op and baby bump reveal. Loving these moments with my boys.”
The pair’s news came nearly a year after the actress's miscarriage. Carter shared the loss on Twitter in September 2018, writing, “God give us peace during this time. I was really looking forward to meeting her after 3 months. I’m heartbroken.”
In 2015, Kitt opened up about a previous miscarriage before conceiving Odin. “It was really hard on Nick and just watching him get so excited about something and then to just see him so hurt,” she said during a pretaped Dancing With the Stars video. “That was hard.”
The California native described the shame she’d experienced on Instagram because of her miscarriages, writing, “As a woman, I am supposed to create life and ... failing to do so feels like failure as a human.”
She and Carter tied the knot in 2014 after six years of dating. The couple welcomed their second child, a rainbow baby girl they named Saoirse (pronounced SEER-sha), on Oct. 2, 2019. After sharing in September 2018 that Lauren had suffered a miscarriage, Nick wrote a sweet note to Lauren when sharing the first-ever photo of baby Saoirse's face.
"To my incredibly strong wife," he wrote. "For two years I watched you endure some of the hardest things a husband could ever witness. Going through the ups and downs of pregnancy all in the hopes that just maybe, with a little help from up above, we would get to this point. I'll never forget the moment You asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said nothing. But deep down inside I knew what I really wanted. So on January 28th, 2019 when I walked out of that bathroom with that positive test I already knew that Saoirse was coming back to us. I just want to thank you for giving me the life, love, and family that I always wanted. You are a true warrior and I love you." That's so sweet.
19th April, 2016 -
Child
Look who the newest member of the dad club is. Nick Carter feels larger than life: He’s a dad! Congratulations are for Nick Carter and his wife, Lauren, who welcomed a baby boy on Tuesday, April 19!
It’s official: all five of the Backstreet Boys are now dads! Nick Carter, 36, and his gorgeous wife, Lauren Kitt, 32, welcomed their first child — a precious bouncing baby boy- into his family. The pair announced the happy news on April 20, and we are so excited for the new parents — how exciting! And wait until you hear his precious name!
The Backstreet Boys Heartthrob singer is officially a first-time father after welcoming son Odin Reign Carter with his wife, Lauren Kitt Carter. How fitting — congrats!
Entertainment Tonight has learned that their son, Odin Reign Carter, arrived after a 30-hour labor during a waterbirth at the couple’s home. Their new bundle of joy weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces.
While the pair kept the name under wraps throughout Lauren’s pregnancy, Nick did tell ET earlier this month that they had picked out a powerful moniker for their first child. Odin, in Germanic mythology, is a "widely revered god."
"It's a very strong name," the 36-year-old singer revealed to ET's Katie Krause at the April 1 premiere of his Syfy film, Dead7. "We can't say the name yet. My wife has instructed me to keep it under wraps, but we have a name."
While discussing how excited he was to become a parent, the Backstreet Boys star also gushed about his eagerness to see his wife take on motherhood.
As Odin's father, Nick Carter, embarked on his journey as a first-time father, he couldn't help but express his admiration for his wife, Lauren. He lovingly shared, "I don't want to get all sappy, [but] she's why I felt comfortable, and I knew she would be the perfect mother. She could help me teach our child everything he needs to learn." This heartfelt sentiment reflects the deep love and support that Odin is surrounded by in his family, creating a warm and connected atmosphere.
The couple shared their maternity pics with ET earlier this year, which Nick admitted was a moving experience in its own right.
"I hate getting emotional, but seeing her like that triggered this influx of emotions that made me realize what's happening in our life," he said. "Without each other, the two of us would never have gotten to this point, so it feels amazing and crazy how much more in love you can become when you start this phase of your life."
Their son arrived weeks after the Carters were showered with love during a Game of Thrones-themed baby bash at their Hidden Hills, California, home, where both the dad and the mom-to-be were honored.
“He just got off a tour, so I really wanted him to enjoy this next thing, which is to become a dad, and make it about him too and shower him with love and surprises,” Kitt Carter told PEOPLE.
But the feelings were mutual: After it was revealed during a live Dancing with the Stars show that the couple was expecting a baby boy, Carter, 36, told PEOPLE he was determined to pamper his wife throughout her pregnancy.
“I’m taking a couple of well-needed months off to be with my wife and really cater to her in this time,” he said in November before heading out on a solo tour.
And while it’s been a busy year for Carter — he placed second during the season 21 finale of Dancing with the Stars in November — the “I Will Wait” singer was most looking forward to cherishing quiet time as a family before his next big project: a possible Las Vegas residency.
“We’re doing a nine-show trial run,” he told PEOPLE of Backstreet Boys’ future, adding if all goes well and they wind up with a permanent schedule, Kitt Carter and their baby boy will “absolutely” join him on the road.
12th April, 2014 -
Marriage
Nick Carter is head over heels in love.
In February, the Backstreet Boys star was expected to walk his younger sibling, Angel, down the aisle at her wedding to Corey Conrad at Newhall Mansion in Piru, California, on Saturday, but opted to celebrate his upcoming nuptials with fiancée Lauren Kitt in Las Vegas instead.
According to UsMagazine.com, the 34-year-old Everybody hitmaker was noticeably absent from the ceremony. However, 26-year-old Angel's twin brother, Aaron Carter, was on hand to escort her.
But, according to '''Angel Carter''', there's no bad blood.
"I love my brother Nick. I wish him all the best," the former "'''House of Carters'''" star tells '''Toofab''' in an exclusive statement. "We had a magical wedding weekend."
Angel and her new husband, '''Corey Conrad''', tied the knot on Saturday at the gorgeous Newhall Mansion in Piru, California -- where Angel's twin brother '''Aaron Carter''' walked her down the aisle.
Aaron's rep, '''Steve Honig''', declined to comment on Nick's absence but tells '''Toofab''', "Aaron was both overjoyed and honored to walk Angel down the aisle on her wedding day and be with his family on such a wonderful and important occasion."
It needs to be clarified who planned their event first. Neither Aaron nor Angel's reps would say if Nick was invited to the wedding, and Nick hasn't commented on the situation.
The Carters have a reasonably turbulent history, though.
The family had a big falling out after the death of '''Leslie Carter''', who died of a drug overdose at the age of 25 back in 2012.
Nick says his family blamed him for her death, adding that their relationship became "toxic."
"The communication is something that I'm still trying to work on to this day," he told '''Dr. Phil'''. "It's tough when you come from a background like that and an up-and-down roller-coaster home."
And while Aaron played an essential role in the ceremony, the twins' absent older brother had his bash in Las Vegas.
'''Backstreet Boys''' member '''Nick Carter''' celebrated his upcoming wedding to fiancée '''Lauren Kitt''' in style, with a shared lavish joint co-ed bachelor and bachelorette party alongside a group of 15 close friends renting a private room at Ghostbar nightclub at '''The Palms''' Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, over the weekend (2/7-2/8.) ''Las Vegas Sun'' reports the celebrations began on Friday night and extended through early Sunday morning.
''We drove to Vegas for our bachelor/bachelorette party with our friends Michael and Justin for the sake of an excellent ol' road trip adventure. It was so much fun listening to music, cracking each other up, and enjoying the open road.''
''Everyone was so excited to be in Vegas together, and emotions were high (in the best way possible!). There was so much joy in our group; it was the first of many traditions leading up to the wedding we celebrated. I'm glad we have that weekend on film to remember forever.''
On Friday, February 7, the future Mr. and Mrs. Carter and their bridal party kicked off their first night in Sin City, partying at a VIP booth inside '''Moon Nightclub'''. When Moon's cocktail servers presented the dynamic group with a vibrant Ciroc bottle presentation, Carter showed off his playful side, grabbing glowsticks and twerking with the staff. The couple was photographed being affectionate, kissing, dancing with each other, and sharing some severe PDA on the dance floor throughout the evening.
''My girls and I could not wait to let our hair down and have fun, so we hit the craps table while the guys went to the spa. Some of the guys even asked if they could join us instead. Ha ha.''
''Nick and I had a fantastic hotel suite connected to the rest of our guests' rooms, which made it so much fun! We all felt like we were at camp!''
On Saturday, February 8, Carter and his fellow friends spent the afternoon at '''Ghostbar Dayclub''', the wild, over-the-top daytime bash. Arriving at a warm welcome from hundreds of screaming fans, the Backstreet Boy quickly threw on a pair of neon green sunglasses while posing for photos with high-energy partygoers before being blindfolded in the center of the room for an old-fashioned game of piñata. The crowd erupted a few strokes into the game, and Carter sprayed the hot spot with confetti as he smashed open the pink-and-white donkey-shaped piñata. Then, Carter and his friends returned to their VIP booth, where the jolly singer sported the top of the piñata on his head. Carter smiled when he spotted two cocktail servers wearing unicorn heads and capes, asking them to come over and take a photo with him. He later hopped on his Instagram account to post a picture of the fun-filled sight, saying, "Check out these horse heads."
Later in the evening, Kitt and her girlfriends, including sister Alexandra, enjoyed an elaborate dinner at N9NE Steakhouse. The group ordered seafood, filets, caviar, and the restaurant's famed dessert, S'mores.
Kitt, who turned heads in a revealing white Jay Ahr dress with peek-a-boo cutouts and strappy nude sandal heels, showed off her 7-carat diamond engagement ring on the red carpet upon arrival at '''Ghostbar'''. Trying to complement his baby blues, Carter sported a spiffy sapphire blouse with his black suit and joined Kitt on the rug. He gushed to tell onlookers how excited he was to marry Kitt and how he's been letting her take the lead on planning their big day.
And the lovebirds weren't shy of showing their affection for one another, with the Backstreet Boy seen giving his wife-to-be a big smooch on the cheek as they kicked off their celebration.
"Wedding planning is going fantastic, that's why I leave it up to her because I work, and I let her plan the wedding," said Carter. "It's been going well, though."
The Backstreet Boy also briefly mentioned to the ''Sun'' reporter that he's been filming an upcoming wedding-related reality TV show with VH1, which documents their entire wedding experience. Once inside the club, Ghostbar's cocktail waitresses emerged with oversized scorecards that spelled out "Lauren" and "Nick," and presented the bachelor and bachelorette with a celebratory three-tier pink and black cake, topped with a blinged-out diamond ring. Confidingly, Kitt's girlfriends humorously placed plastic light-up diamond rings on their fingers while Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" played over the sound system.
The couple looked at each other adoringly while Kitt hand-fed Carter cake before heading outside with Carter's two best men, Shadrick Ferrer and Chris Stensby, and the maid-of-honor, Alexandra Kitt, for a champagne toast overlooking the famed Las Vegas Strip 55 stories below.
Nick tweeted a photo of their celebrations at the Palms Hotel and Ghost Bar, where 15 friends joined the engaged couple.
"It's about to go down at @palms; just entered the room of ecstasy," wrote Nick alongside a snapshot of champagne and gift bags.
Carter is the last member of the Backstreet Boys to tie the knot.
''On the drive home to Malibu Sunday morning, we stopped at Alien Jerky for road snacks and souvenirs. One of the things Nick and I love most about road trips is the fun, exciting places to stop at along the way. You never know what you'll find, and we love exploring whenever we can!''
The night before the wedding, the happy couple, newlyweds since their engagement in February 2013, hosted a rehearsal dinner on Friday night, which appeared to be an Indian-themed event and was attended by fellow Backstreet Boys members, including A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough. One guest shared a sneak peek into the celebrations, where the men dressed in traditional colorful costumes and partied under red marquees.
Carter's bandmate, A.J. McLean, posted a photo on Instagram on Friday while he was getting ready to head to the rehearsal dinner and captioned it with a sweet message to the couple.
"Chillin' at the house getting ready to head to the rehearsal dinner of the wedding most of u thought would never happen, but I'm so happy it is finally!" he wrote before the pre-wedding festivities. "Congrats to my little bro for growing up and finding love. So proud of u, bro. Love u both, @nickcarter and @laurenkitt."
Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough also attended the pre-wedding bash.
'''Inside Nick's Wedding!'''
'''As Long As You Love Me'''
'''Lauren Kitt & Nick Carter'''
'''April 12, 2014, Santa Barbara, California'''
The last bachelor of the Backstreet Boys has finally tied the knot. In a momentous event that has brought immense joy to the band's fans, PEOPLE reports that Nick Carter married Lauren Kitt at a beautiful ceremony in California. The union of these two beloved individuals is a cause for celebration and happiness, spreading joy to all who hear the news.
Backstreet Boys heartthrob Nick Carter probably had a few "I want it that way" moments when planning his weekend wedding to fiancée Lauren Kitt. And by the looks of it, he got it!
He wanted it that way! So now all the Backstreet Boys are taken! '''Nick Carter''' has found "the one" and is now a married boy and officially off the market! The teenage hearts of many women are breaking as it has been announced that Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, who launched countless teen-girl crushes in the 2000s, got married over the weekend. However, Nick Carter says "I do" to Lauren Kitt with his Boys by his side, a source confirms to PEOPLE – and it's something the groom himself thought wouldn't happen.
That sound you heard in April 2014? Time marched on as Nick Carter, the youngest, blondest, and most teen-idolized Backstreet Boy, 34, married his fitness expert/instructor and actress fiancée '''Lauren Kitt''', 30, in a romantic ceremony, rep '''Jack Ketsoyan''' of EMC Bowery tells ''In Touch'' exclusively. As a result, he became known to millions of now-grown female fans as a Back-In-The-Day Boy.
Carter and his new bride, Kitt, wanted it that way as they said their "I dos" in a picturesque ceremony at sunset on a bluff overlooking the ocean at the Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara on Saturday. Nick and Lauren shared handwritten vows in front of over 100. Much to our delight, the details of his romantic wedding are abundant - and yes, plenty of fellow Backstreet Boys were in attendance.
Like Carter's fellow Backstreeters, perhaps they'd believed the singer when he told PEOPLE that he'd never get married. And yet there he was a year later, standing before some 100 guests at the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif., exchanging handwritten vows with fitness expert Kitt. (The pair dated for four years and chronicled their path to the altar in the VH1 reality series ''I Heart Nick Carter''.)
Though marriage was not always given to the groom. "I said I'd never get married," the 34-year-old told PEOPLE last year, but he made it official with a Southern California wedding to his fiancée, a fitness expert and actress. "Go big or go home," he jokes.
At one point, it seemed the '''Backstreet Boys singer''' would never be ready to leap—having said that he would "never get married," that certainly all changed when he met '''Lauren'''. It looked like Lauren was finally the girl who changed his mind!
Only ''In Touch Weekly'' has the first official photos inside '''Nick Carter''' and fitness expert/actress '''Lauren Kitt's''' Santa Barbara Moroccan-inspired wedding!
"This is the best day of my life," Nick told ''In Touch''. "I'm so happy to marry my life's love."
In the upcoming issue of '''In Touch''', the kind-hearted, happily married couple ensured their fans could also enjoy an inside look at their emotional vows and all the celebration that followed by selling exclusive event pictures.
Meanwhile, the lovely bride had been gearing up for her big day. Last week, Kitt took to Instagram and shared a sweet, adorable throwback photo of her and her father from decades ago. "Next Saturday, the first man I ever loved will give me away to the love of my life @nickcarter. I love you, Dad. #nicknlowedding," she captioned the photo of her as a toddler feeding her father ice cream.
Lauren also shared another heart-warming snap of her and Nick cementing their love on a padlock bridge in Germany. "Locked it up in Cologne #I❤NickCarter," she wrote.
If Kitt doesn't have a colorfully scrawled "Mrs. Carter" in a notebook, perhaps she doesn't deserve the honor...
OK, back to 2014.
The wedding took place as the pair walked down the aisle, just over a year after Carter popped the big question to Kitt while on a small island in the Florida Keys. But Carter changed his mind after consulting fellow BSB member Dorough for input. "I asked Howie [for advice]. I was like, 'I love her and don't want to lose her.' And he was like, 'Just do it!'"
The pair got engaged in February 2013, when Carter, the 34-year-old singer, proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Kitt. The chart-topping singer picked out a giant, seven-carat pear-shaped diamond ring! — and popped the question during a romantic boat ride getaway after sailing to a nearby secluded, remote island for a romantic moment in the Florida Keys after holding the ring in his pocket for two weeks. Carter revealed to PEOPLE, "I got down on my knees and did that whole hoopla. She was like, 'Are you serious?' And started crying. Now we call it Engagement Island." The boy bander hinted at the proposal on his Instagram, posting a photo with his gal and the cryptic caption, "Big question...great answer." This heartwarming and personal proposal, filled with love and emotion, adds a touching element to the news and resonates with the readers' emotions, making them feel the depth of the couple's love.
Kitt also posted a photo of the couple's serene location, where the engagement took place.
"A little island all to ourselves! #KeysLife," she captioned the pic two days before Carter asked her to marry him.
Nick admitted that the process was very stressful then, saying, "I was like, 'I don't want [the ring] anymore!' It was driving me insane. I wanted to get it out of my hands and onto hers."
"She said, 'Yes,' and I'm, like, 'I don't know what to do," he continued. "She said, 'You're supposed to put it on my finger.' So I did. I was in shock."
The fitness expert also shared her feelings about Nick's proposal, admitting that one of her first thoughts was fitting the wedding date around the Backstreet Boys' schedule.
"I wasn't expecting it. It just felt very surreal. We both are just so happy in love right now and on cloud nine," she said. "Our first thought was, 'We need to contact the Backstreet Boys and find out when their schedule will permit."
The wedding, a unique blend of romance and celebration, took place at sunset overlooking the ocean at the Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara. A joyous celebration followed the couple's heartfelt vows in a beautifully decorated ballroom, where they savored a sumptuous meal and danced the night away, creating unforgettable memories for all present.
Nick Carter, 34, and Lauren Kitt have revealed intimate pictures of the bash to InTouch magazine.
The publication reveals that the wedding, which took place in Santa Barbara, was 'Moroccan-inspired' and that Lauren's stunning, sexy, strapless, mermaid-style white gown, adorned with soft lace detailing, cost $10,000.
The celebration started before Nick and Lauren's big day, as Lauren had given Nick a white Jeep as a wedding present the previous week.
'''Romantic setting:''' Nick happily turned the wedding planning over to Lauren, who envisioned a celebration she calls "organic elegance with a rustic twist." The couple chose a picturesque Santa Barbara resort with lush grounds and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as the venue for their ceremony and reception. Guests, including fellow Backstreet Boys members, took their seats on mismatched wooden chairs adorned with greenery, arranged on a grassy lawn overlooking the ocean. The aisle featured clusters of candles housed in antique vintage wood lanterns, ivory flowers, and succulents wrapped in burlap. A trellis fashioned from birch branches, covered with white hydrangeas, roses, and violet orchids, served as the altar in a lovely outdoor setting.
An eclectic soundtrack of familiar tunes—including the signature songs from Star Wars, Twilight, and The Legend of Zelda video game—accompanied the processional. One of the most adorable details? Preceding the resplendent bride were bridesmaids wearing mismatched dresses, '''Ava''', the daughter of Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean, who served as a pretty flower girl (an eyewitness tells '''Us''', "She was cute as a button), and the couple's two dogs. They carried the rings on bone-shaped pillows.
"Before I walked out, we played the Jaws title track to break the ice!" Lauren laughs. After this humorous prelude, she made her way down the aisle carrying a fragrant bouquet of anemones, all-white garden roses, peonies, herbs, hydrangeas, orchids, and moss, arranged by Petals LA. Lauren looked lovely and radiant in a fit-and-flare, strapless white wedding gown featuring a lace sweetheart-neckline bodice, with a sweeping floor-length veil affixed to her dark hair, pulled into an intricate braided chignon updo, and diamond earrings and a matching cuff bracelet. At the same time, the groom stood tall and looked classically dapper in a simple, custom black tuxedo, paired with a white blouse and a black bow tie by Anthony Franco Designs, which matched perfectly. "When I saw Lauren walking down the aisle, I thought, 'Wow, this is it, this is happening. I am so lucky,'" Nick reminisces.
"My wife, Lauren, surprised me with the band playing The Legend of Zelda theme [song] during our walk down the aisle," he tells The Knot. "That's how I knew she was the one for me. She geeks out over the same types of things I do. So, we are a perfect match."
'''Wiping away the tears:''' Just before sunset, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Nick Carter got choked up as he and his girlfriend of nearly six years, Lauren Kitt, exchanged handwritten vows in front of more than 100 guests underneath a gorgeous arbor of purple-and-white flowers. In newly released pictures of the ceremony, Nick's bride, Lauren, can be seen wiping away tears as they exchange their vows, according to People. Carter's vows were equally sweet, read from a note card. A second insider tells '''''Us Weekly''''' that Carter became emotional as the singer shared his heartfelt message with his new wife, "Lauren reached out and put her hand on his chest." Even more moving was when it was time to exchange rings, "Lauren held Nick's hand and dried tears from her eyes," the source added their touching messages. "As we're crying at each other and reciting vows, I know in my mind that everyone will be able to realize, 'That's some real intense love right there!'" Nick told "In Touch" afterward about the magical moment and admitted that he and his wife, Lauren, were emotionally overcome as they said their vows to one another. "Standing up there with her was surreal - I lost it," the Backstreet Boy tells ''In Touch'' of the romantic April 12 ceremony at the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif., filmed for the couple's upcoming VH1 reality series, I Heart Nick Carter. "I can't help but smile," adds fitness trainer Lauren, 30, stunned in a gorgeous strapless $10,000 gown made by Israeli designer '''Inbal Dror'''. "Everything was perfect." Nick looks overcome with emotion and smiles after saying his vows as he places the wedding band on Lauren's finger during the ceremony. The feelings didn't stop flowing there. Exchanging handwritten vows in front of over 100 guests, Carter and Kitt share a passionate kiss several times after finally being pronounced husband and wife.
'''PDA ALL-DAY'''
The newlyweds—whose 30-second first kiss as a married couple "was so passionate, the peanut gallery yelled for them to get a room," says a guest—couldn't stop showing their love. Another eyewitness tells '''Us''', "At the end of the ceremony, they shared the longest wedding kiss I've ever seen. A full minute later, they were still kissing. They seem crazy in love and thrilled to be married. You could feel the love bursting out of them."
Guests moved to an outdoor, Spanish-style courtyard illuminated with strings of old-fashioned light bulbs for a sit-down dinner. Long wooden tables boasted "runners" of floral arrangements, including Spanish moss, ivory garden roses, tulips, hyacinths, violet orchids, and succulents. "We also wanted the reception to smell as romantic as it looked," Lauren reveals, "so we had burlap napkins stuffed with lavender." Herbs, such as sage and rosemary, were also incorporated into the décor. The newlyweds sat in view of their guests beneath a floral arch at a table overflowing with blooms, succulents, and candles.
'''Cake Boss'''
Heartfelt toasts given by Lauren's father, sister, and all four of Nick's fellow bandmates from the Backstreet Boys invoked moments of love and reflection. "I'm the youngest [band member] and last to get married," Nick explains, "and I could feel how proud they are of me and the love they have for Lauren and me." Then, after cutting their elegant five-tiered vanilla cake, covered in fresh Thai orchids that matched the centerpieces by florist Petals LA, Lauren "licked every last drop of icing off him!" says a guest after smushing Nick's face. Finally, the newlyweds and their guests moved the celebration and hit the dance floor late into the night, located inside an adjacent ballroom awash in lavender lighting.
'''Search Mission'''
Steady there, Nick! After abstaining from sex for a month before the wedding, at one point, Carter put his head under his bride's dress and got frisky, removing Lauren's garter with his mouth while Lauren pretended to act shocked.
Although the reception wrapped up at 11 p.m., the party was still in full swing. A Moroccan-themed after-party, bright red and orange lighting, and hookahs kept guests celebrating until 2 AM. Lauren even changed into a flowing white gown embellished with gold, silver, and orange embroidery to complement the style of the celebration, which was inspired by their upcoming honeymoon to Morocco.
After a whirlwind evening filled with love, laughter, and nonstop dancing, Lauren's only regret is that she didn't take more photos with her guests. Nick, too, shares his new wife's enthusiasm for their perfect wedding day. "I was surprised by how emotional and freeing it was to become a husband," Nick says. "I wouldn't change anything except to make it last longer!"
'''Like Brothers'''
From Backstreet Boy to Backstreet Man
Backstreet's back, alright!
When Nick Carter married Lauren Kitt on Saturday, over the weekend, his fellow Backstreet Boys band members were there to help celebrate his special day and support him.
Behind him, his band - AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson - had his back.
"These guys are my family," Nick says of bandmates Howie Dorough, a latter wedding party member, Kevin Richardson, A.J. McLean, and Brian Littrell.
Bandmate A.J. McLean, expressing the overwhelming joy that many fans felt, shared his happiness on Instagram, stating, "The wedding that most of u thought would never happen, but I'm so happy it is finally!" This heartfelt reaction from A.J. resonates with the feelings of many fans, making the wedding even more special.
"It was bittersweet," A.J. McLean, 36, told PEOPLE. "We're so, so proud of him. He's been through hell and back as we all have, once in our life here or there."
The Backstreet Boys were a dynamic boy band until the early to mid-2000s when they took a hiatus. In 2009, Carter admitted to past drug use and alcohol addiction.
McLean added that Saturday's Santa Barbara wedding was "beautiful, rustic," and "minimal."
"And you know, we're all family. We're all brothers," he adds. "To see our baby brother finally make that big final step. Then, of course, the next step has kids. They just got married, so obviously, take your time."
"Enjoy your time together first," Brian Littrell, 39, added.
Later, they all took to Twitter. Dorough: "Had a wonderful time yesterday seeing my friend Nick get married. So proud and happy for him and Lauren. Now on my way to go snowboarding.:)." Richardson: "I love you both."
Cameras were rolling at the ceremony yesterday. Eager fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous ceremony will have their chance. VH1 filmed Carter's entire wedding, including footage of the '90s boy band reunion, which will be made into a made-for-TV special later this year as part of an upcoming VH1 series called I 'Heart' Nick Carter. In addition, the couple has co-starred in a series of fitness webisodes called "Kitt Fitt.". We can't wait to watch it!
The guys from the Backstreet Boys had a big weekend. The night after the wedding, McLean joined bandmate Brian Littrell at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, where they accepted the golden popcorn on behalf of the boy band for Best Musical Moment, which took place during Seth Rogen and James Franco's summer hit, "This Is The End."
The Backstreet Boys crooner tweeted a simple message for the bride late Sunday, "Happiest day of my life 4-12-2014 I married my best friend and woman of my dreams. Lauren Kitt Carter, honeymoon time!" He followed up with a photo alongside his new bride, each flipping the bird, with the caption, "To all the haters that thought it wouldn't last...I LOVE Mrs. Carter! @laurenkitt #ilovemywife#ilovebeinghusband"
It was a very happy occasion for Nick, who lost his sister Leslie to an overdose in 2012.
=== Brother Misses Wedding ===
One significant person was missing from Nick Carter's wedding. Nick's parents, five siblings, and TV personalities, including Aaron and Angel Carter, were noticeably absent among the 100 guests.
"Aaron didn't blow anything off and would have been there -- it's a real bummer for him," Honig said. "He feels bad he missed the wedding."
Unfortunately, his younger brother and "House of Carters" co-star, '''Aaron Carter''', 26, didn't make it to the gorgeous ceremony in Santa Barbara, Calif., over the weekend—but not for lack of trying. Still, his representative tells PEOPLE that prior commitments and plane troubles were the cause of the flight delays.
"Aaron had signed a contractual obligation to appear in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., before Nick set his wedding date, and there was no sibling rivalry. However, although he was obligated to fulfill his contract, Aaron still wanted to make the wedding," the celeb's rep Steve Honig tells E! News. "[We] realized there was a problem and figured out he could perform and get him to Santa Barbara so he would be there for the last two hours of the reception."
Unfortunately, the younger Carter's US Airways plane was ultimately grounded due to mechanical problems, preventing him from appearing.
"A team of six people worked to put together a plan to get him to Santa Barbara by the reception so he could at least participate in the celebration. Tickets were purchased, and the plan was in place. It was a major operation to get him there in time," adds Honig.
"Unfortunately, he was on his way when his US Airways plane experienced mechanical difficulties in Pittsburgh, and they became grounded there. So, he never made it. Aaron changed planes several times to get into Santa Barbara. He was legitimately busting his ass to make it to his brother's wedding. He felt awful and had every intention of being there. Aaron didn't blow anything off and would have been there – it's a real bummer for him. He feels bad he missed the wedding."
Aaron also posted a photo of himself stuck on the plane on Instagram with the caption, "Really pissed off that I missed my brother's wedding today. I hope he doesn't hate me... I tried to get there... I'm sorry, bro @nickcarter#technicalProblems."
However, not everything went as planned. "My family's always had a complicated dynamic," admits Nick, who shares that though he was supposed to have five groomsmen, his pop star brother '''Aaron''' texted him last minute that he couldn't make it. "At the end of the day, the people who love us wanted to be there, and that's what matters," Nick tells ''In Touch''.
Although Aaron's rep insisted, he had a work engagement on the East Coast. He had hoped to make it to the reception until a delayed flight made that impossible; Nick had skipped his sister Angel's wedding earlier this year.
Now he can't wait to start his own family with Lauren - after they return from a mini honeymoon in the Florida Keys (with a more extended trip to Morocco planned for after BSB's U.S. tour ends this fall). "She's my lover and my best friend," Nick gushes. "She showed me that true love does exist."
As they embark on this new journey together, we wish the new couple the very best for all the years to come, filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
Congrats to the happy couple!
It looks like '''Nick Carter's''' honeymoon is going swimmingly! Treating your new wife to a romantic boat trip seems like a perfect honeymoon activity.
The 34-year-old '''Backstreet Boys''' singer and his fitness expert wife, '''Lauren Kitt,''' have been enjoying their newlywed life in the Florida Keys since jetting to the East Coast almost two weeks ago after tying the knot in posh Santa Barbara, California.
The couple also posed for a touching photograph and smiled as they arrived in Florida, greeted by a private plane after flying via a private jet from California.
Before setting off, the happy couple posed happily together as they sat on board on the side of their appropriately decorated boat vessel, emblazoned with the words, 'Just Married, congratulations.'
In pics from their romantic getaway, the lovebirds, who bought a boat upon arrival, have been celebrating their marriage adventures on the high seas. Carter has been enjoying their vacation by fishing and even caught a large fish during one trip. Carter and Kitt were also spotted simply enjoying each other's company and cuddling while sitting on their boat and taking in the scenery.
But cheeky Backstreet Boy Nick Carter used it as an excuse to indulge in his other love of fishing - and landed another catch of the day in the Florida Keys on Thursday.
His new wife, Lauren Kitt, was impressed when he showed her his whopper, which was several feet long and would have provided enough meat for at least a few meals.
Last week, Carter took a momentary break from enjoying his honeymoon to call out ''''N Sync''' star '''Joey Fatone''' after Fatone dissed the Backstreet Boys. "Just disappointed. I liked Joey..." Carter wrote last Friday.
He followed up with, "I'm proud of who we are and love what we stand for. Truthfully, it's about not letting our fans down. Sorry bro, but you have us all wrong," adding, "Now let me go back to enjoying my Honeymoon."
20th February, 2013 -
Engagement
=== The Proposal ===
Lucky Lauren! No wonder she said yes after seeing the size of that sparkler. Remember when he told you he'd never break your heart? Sorry, ladies who were in middle school in the late '90s, but instead, he announced Friday that '''Nick Carter''', the youngest of the Backstreet Boys, has found his fire, his one desire, and is officially off the market. He has shown his girlfriend the shape of his heart by formally putting a ring on it. One less boy bander is available to date now that the 1990s heartthrob planned the perfect proposal for his girlfriend of over four years '''Lauren Kitt''', on Feb. 20. Their love story, which began when they met through mutual friends in 2008, has been a rollercoaster of adventures, from romantic getaways to supporting each other's careers. They have been through ups and downs, but their love has only grown stronger over the years.
The Backstreet Boys singer, 33, is engaged to his 29-year-old now-fiancée, the fitness expert/actress, after traveling by boat to a small, secluded island in the Florida Keys to pop the question during a recent trip, "People" magazine reports. The island, known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, provided the perfect backdrop for this romantic moment.
While on tour in Australia, separated from his love for the longest time since they met, Nick realized he couldn't live without her. In an interview with PEOPLE last year, Carter said that Dorough helped him muster the courage to propose to Kitt. "I asked Howie [for advice]. I was like, 'I love her and don't want to lose her.' And he was like, 'Just do it!'" After obtaining permission from Lauren's father to propose, Nick set off on a mission to design the perfect engagement ring. He sent Lauren to look at jewelry for her birthday with his business manager at XIV KARATS. A diamond on one necklace captivated Lauren, so Nick had the stone removed and set into a ring. "I love it because it looks like a Star Wars battleship," he explains, referring to their shared love for the franchise and the ring's unique design. Nick purchased the rather garish seven-carat diamond ring from XIV KARATS, which features a pear-shaped stone set in platinum. This ring, with its unique design and stunning seven-carat diamond, symbolizes their love and commitment, serving as a testament to their future together.
"I had the ring in my pocket for two weeks," the Backstreet Boy tells PEOPLE of his engagement to fitness expert/actress Lauren Kitt.
"I was like, 'I don't want it anymore!' It was driving me insane. I wanted to get it out of my hands and onto hers."
For the momentous occasion, with the ring in his pocket, Nick, 33, took his fiancée, Lauren, 29, along with a few friends and Lauren's father, on a trip to the Florida Keys. He planned a romantic boat ride to a private, secluded island in Key West, where Carter had spent time as a child, and chose to steer the boat himself, but things did not go as smoothly as expected. It wasn't all smooth sailing, though – the boat broke down several times, forcing the two (Nick and Lauren's dad) to stop to exert some elbow grease and tinker with the engine.
"My boat was in such bad condition because I hadn't used it for six years. The boat was barely running. It died, like, four times. It took me five days on my hands and knees, scraping up my body [to fix it,]" Carter says. "The engine wasn't complete yet, but we decided to go out."
But despite the engine stalling a few times as they eventually set out to sea Wednesday, all was forgotten after they finally made it to the small island in the Florida Keys, which the couple now lovingly refers to as "Engagement Island" - and climbed a hill, where Carter surprised Kitt. In newly released photos, It was there that Lauren's father and Nick's best friend were on hand to witness the shirtless Nick smiling in the romantic pose, dropping to one knee, pulling out the seven-carat gigantic pear-shape center stone and baguette side stones diamond engagement ring, set on a thick band from XIV KARATS from his swim trunks and ask Lauren, whose brown hair is up in a bun and wearing a red bikini, to be his wife. "I got down on my knees and did that whole hoopla," he said. "She was like, 'Are you serious?' And started crying. Now we call it Engagement Island." Nick is reaching both hands upwards to clasp Lauren while she stands barefoot with her back to the camera. Lauren has nothing to worry about - she's a fitness expert with a body built like a female wrestler's, and she shows off her perfectly toned arms, legs, and backside without embarrassment. Yet, Nick needed to figure out what to do after the proposal was made. "She said, 'Yes,' and I'm, like, 'I don't know what to do," Carter tells PEOPLE of the proposal. "She said, 'You're supposed to put it on my finger.' So, I did. I was in shock." The proposal came as a surprise to the bride-to-be as well. Kitt was equally surprised and thrilled by the proposal and gave her future husband a big hug after accepting his proposal, with the ocean in the background and their dog at their feet. "I wasn't expecting it. It just felt very surreal," explains a thrilled Kitt. "We are both so happy in love right now and on cloud nine." It's good that Kitt is a fitness specialist and an actress who was maybe in talks to become a WWE Diva late last year. She tweets things like, "Working on building my abs and lower body. Later Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training...long day!" That's some heavy lifting.
The bride-to-be also showed off her seven-carat, gigantic pear-shaped diamond engagement ring set on a thick band, and the XIV Karats ring sparkled in the sunlight.[[File:Nick-carter-3.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Before the news was even released in the entertainment magazine, he '''hinted''' at the proposal on his Instagram account and Twitter page today. Carter's romantic plan worked, as he posted a photo showing himself with his fiancée, Lauren Kitt, 29, and included the cryptic caption, "Big question…great answer."
The 33-year-old boy-bander and his fiancée have been dating for four years, and he reportedly proposed with a 7-carat diamond ring (excellent work, Nick!).
Carter's wife-to-be also posted a photo of the couple's serene location, capturing a shot of the small island where the engagement took place.
"A little island all to ourselves! #KeysLife," she captioned the pic two days before Nick asked her to marry him.
Based on their smiling faces, the couple is overjoyed to be taking the next step in their relationship.
This will be Carter's first wedding. After the proposal, the "I'll Never Break Your Heart" singer tweeted, "So happy and excited for our future."
Now for the next big question: When is the wedding?
"It's not up to us. It's up to the schedule. We're excited and looking forward to the next chapter of our lives."
And while the couple is excited about their wedding, there are a few other people they must consult before planning their impending nuptials – the band.
"Our first thought was, 'We need to contact the Backstreet Boys and find out when their schedule will permit,'" Kitt says of wedding planning while the band works on a new album and prepares for their sold-out fan cruise scheduled in October to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
It'll be trickier than it sounds: Carter is set to reunite with his fellow Backstreet Boys to work on a new album this year.
Congratulations to Nick and Lauren, the happy couple! We are glad you found "The One" and wish you many more years of happiness.
20th October, 2008 -
Hookup
Lauren, 31, has led a life of diverse experiences that are both unique and fascinating, distinct from those of her famous husband. She isn't involved in the entertainment industry besides the new reality show. Her journey began with a worker’s permit to work at Starbucks as a barista. Then, as a veterinary technician specialist, she demonstrated her adaptability by living in Tokyo for three years after college at 18, and then in Paris at 21, all while working as a veterinary technician. This adaptability was further showcased when she moved back to the States in San Francisco at 25 to pursue a degree in nutrition. This was part of her self-help process, a journey of personal growth and self-discovery that she embarked on after experiencing a quarter-life crisis. Her remarkable resilience and determination on this journey have shaped her into the person she is today—a strong and independent woman, inspiring in her personal growth.
“I was trying to find my way and figure out what I wanted to do,” Lauren told Half-Full Magazine.
Around the same time, she met her husband’s little sister, Angel, through mutual friends. She lived on Hollywood Boulevard and worked at Louis Vuitton on Rodeo Drive when Angel and another friend begged her to date her older brother. Although Lauren was initially unimpressed with Nick, their relationship eventually blossomed.
"Before I knew him, I was friends with his (Nick's) sister. She and another friend of ours had been trying to get us together for a long time, and one day, they set us up on a blind date. I met Nick at his house in Santa Monica, where he was living with Aaron. Nick and I met, and we were introduced. We were on his balcony overlooking the ocean and talked for hours, eventually falling in love. Then we realized what time it was and went inside and watched a movie. We fell in love during that time, just talking alone and getting to know each other. There was a point where there was shooting star after shooting star, and we looked over at each other like, 'Oh crap, this is intense!'"
On October 20, 2008, Nick Carter never had to wonder what his family would think of his girlfriend, fitness expert, and actress Lauren Kitt after they began dating in 2009. That's because it was Nick's sister, Angel, and brother, Aaron, who intuitively knew the couple would enjoy each other's company and persuaded them to meet. The friend, who was dating Angel’s late twin brother, Aaron, at the time, drove her to her now-husband’s apartment for their first meeting. '''Nick:''' My sister and family had been trying to introduce me to her. They knew Lauren before I did, and they all hung out. Lauren always said, "No, I don't like the Backstreet Boys and pop stars."
One time, it came to fruition because she was like, "Fine, I'll meet him. Now leave me alone!" When Nick "grew up," he met Lauren Kitt on a blind date in 2008, and his life changed dramatically. "So, I invited Lauren over, and we all hung out." Angel introduced the couple during a movie night at Nick's house, where a sign from the heavens seemed to approve of the match, and a relationship eventually blossomed. They met, shook hands, and everyone left. They sat on the balcony of his apartment overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and they knew it was a setup. (“Did you know I was coming?” “Yeah, they said we would have a BBQ tonight and hang out, but they left.” “Look, it is what it is, so let’s hang out and make the best of it.”) They talked for hours until it got dark, and there were a couple of shooting stars that seemed to be aligning. They glanced at each other, “This is weird” (“Maybe they were right, perhaps we should’ve met”), and they went inside for the movie Big (“Do you wanna head inside and get something to drink and like watch a movie?” “Sure”) and sat on his couch. Then he put his arm around her (“Is it okay if I put my arm around you?” “Yeah, it’s cool”), and she ended up staying overnight at his place, but being a gentleman, he slept on the couch, and she slept in his bed. "We went out on the balcony, and all of a sudden, three hours into conversing on my balcony overlooking the beach, these shooting stars came across the sky, and we saw shooting star after star," Nick remembers. "We were both looking at them simultaneously like, 'That's trippy!' We both looked at each other, and it got quiet. The next day, I had to sing the national anthem for the baseball World Series with the Backstreet Boys, and I didn't want to leave her."
"When I first met Lauren, I was in a place where I wanted to stop any drinking and drugs," said Nick. (Nick realized he needed to change his life after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition called cardiomyopathy, which caused the early deaths of Andy Gibb and Chris Penn.) "I wanted to adopt a whole new lifestyle of fitness and health. And at the time — and they say this happens all the time — I didn't want a relationship. I didn't want to be in a relationship, and then suddenly... smacked right in my face."
'''Lauren:''' I had a tough shell when I met Nick. I'm not open with strangers, I don't lay it all out there, and I have a small group of people I allow into my life, so I was shocked at how open and vulnerable he was. He had a power of vulnerability that was astonishing and admirable.
'''Nick:''' She was different, but you could tell she had gone through a lot in life, and that's what I shared with her. I've experienced so many other things, and she has had a tough life, too, with her family and upbringing. So, it was like we spoke the same language.
It was always difficult for people to relate to me because I had been through so much, and whenever I met a girl before, I didn't have things to discuss because my life had been pretty extreme. But we shared a lot of similarities.
Kitt sometimes had it challenging. Like Carter, she had a rough past with her family, as her mother was in and out of jail. She was also overweight when she met Carter, but figured out a great fitness routine that works for her, and she maintains a fantastic figure.
"And six years later, now I have someone I truly love and care about, want to be the best for, that I want to be alive for. I want to be healthy. I want to be there for (Lauren) and be accountable to her, so she has been my rock. We do fitness together, eat healthily, and play video games together. She's my best friend, so it's nice to have a best friend that is positive and a great influence."
'''What were your first impressions of each other?'''
Lauren: Initially, not knowing him, I thought he was arrogant. Come to find out, he was just shy. Because he didn't stand up to greet me, he was like, "Hey, what's up?" I needed to get to know him better. Once that happened, he was very loving, warm, vulnerable, and sweet.
'''Nick:''' I thought she was...
'''Lauren:''' Tall. [Laughs]
'''Nick:''' I thought she was tall and stunning, but she needed someone like me to come in, love, protect, and hold her. I just felt like she needed me.
'''What was your first date?'''
'''Nick:''' That was the first date - a cute little date night with my whole family. We watched the movie Big with Tom Hanks.
'''Nick was in the early stages of sobriety when you started dating. Did you see his struggle?'''
'''Lauren:''' Definitely. He was very steadfast in wanting to be sober. But the people he'd surrounded himself with were hard for him to deal with because they were freeloaders and enablers. They were there to use and feed off him, which was the biggest struggle I saw.
'''Nick, since you were still battling addiction when you started dating, how much did Lauren help you?'''
'''Nick:''' She helped support my sobriety and my well-being from that point. I had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and was trying to change my life. I had been sober for six months and told my brother and my sister, "I don't want to meet anyone because I'm trying to focus on changing my life right now, working out, and eating better." So that's why I didn't want to meet her.
'''Did you have a moment where you were like, 'She's the one'?'''
'''Nick:''' I loved being around her, didn't want to be away from her, and enjoyed our fun and bad times. They're the right one when you want to spend every waking minute with them.
'''When did you know the other person was the one?'''
'''Nick:''' I thought she was the one the minute I met her. It was bizarre because ...
'''Lauren:''' Really? I never knew that.
'''Nick:''' Yeah, you were different. I don't know; I just felt an instant connection. I can't... It's like I just wanted to be around her. I liked her energy. I felt like she was powerful the minute I met her.
'''Lauren:''' It took me about three months to know he was the one, and once I had that epiphany... He was out on tour. So I took my best friend to a tattoo shop and got his initials on my neck. And it was a surprise. Do you remember that? And you were freaking out ... because you couldn't find me, and I was getting a tattoo. It says NGC on the back of my neck.
'''What's the biggest thing you've learned from Lauren about love?'''
'''Nick:''' That true, real love is unconditional. I had always been searching for that real love, and it's hard to find in this business because many people will put on a face and tell you what you want to hear.
'''What are your favorite qualities about Lauren?'''
'''Nick:''' She's stubborn but very protective and has the biggest heart. She's a softie on the inside, and she loves immensely. But she's an extremist – when she loves something, she LOVES it to the point she's hard to be around! And I'm an attention seeker, so she gives me all the attention I need!
What I liked about her was that she had a powerful personality. I could be accountable to her and hide within one another. I felt protected, which was important because I was alone and had run with so many bad people ... it had been challenging for me. I had to make a choice the minute I met her and say, "This is the person that I want to spend my life with, and I feel safe with her."
'''Lauren, what's the most significant thing Nick has instilled in you?'''
'''Lauren:''' That's easy – he has taught me how to be vulnerable. Funnily enough, he has gotten me in touch with my feminine side!
'''How?'''
'''Lauren:''' Our relationship dynamic is funny. In many ways, he's the female, and I'm the male – he's very emotional and wants to talk about his feelings. He can't move on from certain things until his feelings have been addressed. I'm more of a male counterpart – I'm black-and-white; if the problem's over, let's move on. Nick's taught me to open up, be vulnerable, take chances, and be emotional.
'''What's the most surprising thing about Nick?'''
'''Lauren:''' Going back to him being vulnerable and emotional ... he's the most loving person I've met, and to me, that was odd because he didn't come from a background of lots of love, attention, support, and protection. So what he gives me sometimes surprises me and makes me think, "Wow, I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
The next day, her friend was there when she arrived late. He got her number since he had to sing the national anthem at the MLB World Series in New York (“Can I have your number? Is it okay if I call you when I come back?” “Yeah.”) they leave, and she discusses how they hung out, he’s super nice, and they might see each other again, and they did four days later when he came over to her place on Ocean Avenue and Melrose Avenue from the airport in 5 minutes, took it slow, getting to know each other before they got there and two weeks later he called her while on tour in Canada and invited her to meet him (“Hey do you wanna meet me on tour?” “Okay, what does that mean?” “I’m in Canada. I’m staying at this hotel. This is my room number, and I’ll leave a key for you at the front desk.”) she flew there with her own money and wanted to show that she wanted to be there, not the opposite, but they hung out, and they wanted to move to the next step. As it grew more serious, Lauren recalled on the show's first episode that she had to decide between continuing her career and giving the romance a chance.
“Nick is on tour. He’s gone 300 days out of the year, and to have a relationship and make it work, I had to quit my job and be with him,” said Lauren, now 31. “Now, all of a sudden, I depend on this man to care for and provide for me.”
After realizing the situation wasn’t good, Lauren started working as a fitness specialist and posting her “Kitt Fit” videos.
