Kriti Mehrotra
As a Soleil Moon Frye-directed documentary series that shines a light upon a dysfunctional celebrity family that has faced more loss than anyone can imagine, Paramount+’s ‘The Carters: Hurts to Love You’ is simply gripping. That’s because it incorporates not just exclusive interviews with those close to the family but also archival, never-been-seen home footage to really underscore their reality. Amongst those to thus be a part of this original production is Ginger Rose Elrod Carter, who came into the family with an outside perspective and changed many lives.
Ginger Carter Was Always Empathetic Towards the Carter Children
It was during a boat race in her hometown of Georgia that Ginger Rose Elrod first came across father of six Robert Carter, just for there to immediately be sparks in a way neither expected. In fact, as per her accounts in the show, the moment they first locked eyes, he said he was going to marry her one day – that’s how attracted he was to her. Thus, when the race was over, he invited her to join him at his next destination, and when he agreed, he flew her out there to ensure she had the best of time. Little did she know he would get down on one knee right there in her hotel room.
Ginger and Robert’s romance was definitely a whirlwind, but it eventually culminated in them tying the knot in a beautiful and intimate ceremony, surrounded by loved ones on April 1, 2004. The former then officially moved into the Carter estate in the Florida Keys, where both she and her then 4-year-old daughter Taeylen from a previous relationship were welcomed with open arms. However, she had no idea what she was really getting herself into since she wasn’t particularly interested in the celebrity lifestyle and hence had no idea the efforts and sacrifices it required.
As per Ginger’s own accounts, she came into the family when Roberts’s eldest son, Nick Carter, was at the peak of his career as a member of the Backstreet Boys, and Bobbie Jean had moved out. Yet, since Leslie and twins Angel and Aaron were still teens and living at home, she couldn’t help but notice how they were left to their own devices and not able to live like children. So, she made sure to play with them and interact with them per their age, finally giving them a maternal figure in their lives. She also hated how much pressure there was on Aaron to succeed owing to his talent, so she took her time to get to know him on a personal level, too. She gave them a safe space as well as a shelter.
Ginger Carter and Robert’s First Weren’t on Cordial Terms
At the age of 28, Ginger was settling into her new life to the best of her abilities, especially as it opened her eyes to a whole new part of the entertainment world. Yet, her priority remained to protect her loved ones. This was evidenced in January 2004, when the young mother encountered Robert’s estranged turned ex-wife, Jane Elizabeth Carter. According to records, the latter actually broke into her then-estranged husband’s bedroom one morning before attacking his girlfriend with a remote control, but the latter thankfully managed to escape. All she was thinking about at this point was her kids downstairs, so she knew she had to fight back and make it out okay for them.
Jane was subsequently arrested for the physical disturbance, but Ginger eventually decided not to press charges, and the case was dismissed. However, reportedly, both she and Robert did get restraining orders against her a short while later in the hopes of finally being able to move forward in life. Then came their wedding, new life, and news that she was expecting their first child together – Kaden Brett Carter, born in 2005 as her second and Robert’s seventh child. He was determined to be a great father this time around, and with the lack of outside involvement, they raised a couple of young, well-rounded kids. As per records, Kaden helped Robert realize what it’s like to be a father, so he eventually even reconciled with a few of his adult children with whom he hadn’t spoken in years owing to their past.
Ginger Carter Prefers to Lead a Quiet Life Today
Ginger and Robert admittedly led a happy, healthy, stable life until the mid-2010s rolled around. According to her account, she didn’t understand the extent of addiction and dysfunction that ran in the Carter family until she witnessed it herself. Robert was clean when they got together and for the majority of their marriage, yet things changed once a back injury resulted in him having to rely on painkillers just to be able to move. This led him to relapse, and it was to such an extent that Ginger asked him to choose between the drugs and their family. Ginger believed that once she walked out, her husband would realize what he could lose and turn over a new leaf, but he couldn’t.
The 65-year-old was found dead in his Florida home in May 2017, which shattered the entire family to the core. This affected Ginger, her daughter, the son they shared, and all other Carter children, too, but she was arguably hit the hardest considering their recent arguments. Since then, Ginger has actually preferred to stay well away from the limelight in order to grieve and have her life experiences away from prying eyes. Therefore, we can only assume that she is currently based near her daughter in Georgia, all the while also remaining in close touch with her late husband’s three remaining children — Nick, Angel, and the son they share, Kaden. She doesn’t like making many public appearances or announcements, so her feature in the aforementioned show is extremely rare.
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