Aaron Carter's memoir release postponed following backlash: 'Uninformed, heartless, money grab'

The release of Aaron Carter's memoir has been postponed "out of respect" for his family.

The I Want Candy singer was found dead at home aged just 34 on 5 November and days later, Ballast Books announced plans to release Aaron Carter: An Incomplete Story of an Incomplete Life on 15 November, but following a backlash, they have now decided against publishing the tome.

Attorney Scott Atherton, founder of Atherton Galardi Mullen and Reeder PLLC who represents Ballast Books and author Andy Symonds - who interviewed the late pop star over a period of three years for the book- said in a statement: "Out of respect for the Carter family, my client has decided to defer the further release of the book at this time. Mr. Carter was not just a celebrity but also a father, a brother, a son, and a friend to many still grieving for him."

The lawyer also noted that "public attention has recently focused on a small number of interactions during Mr. Carter's early years."

He added: "The more important story is about Mr. Carter's life and what people can learn from his professional success, personal struggles, and tragic passing."

Despite the criticism the planned release had faced, the attorney insisted Aaron had wanted his story "with all its beauty and rawness" to be told.

Aaron's former girlfriend Hilary Duff, who he dated as a young teenager, previously branded the release of the book "disgusting".

She said: "She said: "It’s really sad that within a week of Aaron’s death, there’s a publisher that seems to be recklessly pushing a book out to capitalise on this tragedy without taking appropriate time or care to fact-check the validity of his work. To water down Aaron’s life story to what seems to be unverified clickbait for profit is disgusting. In no way do I condone shedding any light on what is so obviously an uninformed, heartless, money grab."

Aaron's management team, Big Umbrella Management, thanked the former Disney Channel star for speaking out as they also condemned the release.

They said: "We as Aaron’s management would like to thank [Hilary] Duff for her statement regarding the book that is set to be released," the statement read. "In the few short days following our dear friends passing, we have been trying to grieve and process while simultaneously having to deal with several obscenely disrespectful and unauthorised releases.

"These releases include an album, a single and now it seems a book.

"This is a time for mourning and remembering an incredible soul lost, not heartless money grabs and attention seeking.

"We would ask the parties responsible to remove the aforementioned content and that no further content be released without approval from his family, friends, and associates.”

This comes after it was revealed that Aaron Carter reportedly did not want his memoir published.

The late pop star had been working on a book about his life up until his death but is said to have been against the idea of releasing it, just days after Ballast Books confirmed they will be bringing out Aaron Carter: An Incomplete Story of an Incomplete Life.

A source told The New York Times' PageSix column: "Aaron, in the midst of [working on the book], said, ‘I want nothing to do with this’ and stopped, so the fact that the publisher is saying it’s green-lit, it’s not! That’s against Aaron’s wishes!"

The 'I Want Candy' hitmaker - who is survived by fiancée Melanie Martin and their eleven-month-old son Prince

Author Andy Symonds, who spent three years interviewing the former child star for his book, previously insisted he "owed it" to Aaron to release the book.

He said: "Aaron was a kind, gentle, talented soul not without his demons. He was so excited about telling his story, and I feel I owe it to him to release the parts we did complete.

“Aaron was an open book during the writing process. It’s a tragic irony that his autobiography will never include all his stories, thoughts, hopes, and dreams as he intended.”

- Bang! Showbiz