Nick Carter: I'm Not Dating Britney

Fri Oct 25, 3:22 PM ET

NEW YORK (AP) - Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys says he's not dating Britney Spears.

"I've been single for a while and I like being single because you just really concentrate on yourself and learn how to love yourself and be the kind of person you need to be," Carter said.

In fact, Carter says he really doesn't have that much experience with romance because the only person he's dated was singer Willa Ford (news).

On the rumors about Spears, Carter says rumors are rumors and he feels that now that he has a solo album, the latest thing to do is, "Let's get Nick!"

And he also dismisses any suggestion that there's a rivalry with Justin Timberlake (news), of 'N Sync (news - web sites), because they're issuing solo albums a week apart. Carter says he only wishes the best to Timberlake and they're doing different types of music anyway.

Gossip on Nick Carter, Justin Timberlake

Oct 24, 2002, 11:55 am PT

Although many like to make it out that the Backstreet Boys and 'NSync are diehard rivals, it certainly doesn't seem to be the case.

When asked if it bothers him that 'NSync's Justin Timberlake's solo debut, Justified, is due the week after his own solo debut, Now or Never -– on the same label (Jive) -- Nick Carter told us, "Not at all. I think, honestly, he wants to do R&B and I want to do rock. We both have something to prove. He's got more going for him at the moment, but that's okay. I want to sweat. I don't want it to be easy. I don't want people to necessarily like me in the beginning. I like being the underdog."

Justin's answer was a wee bit snippier –- then again, he was asked how competitive he feels with Nick, considering that Nick's been romantically linked to his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears. "I'm really indifferent about that whole situation," said Justin in an interview Thursday (Oct. 24). "Obviously, I've answered so many questions about my personal life. I wish him the best. As far as anybody comparing the two of us at this point, I feel like it's kind of lazy ... you can tell that we're two totally different artists. It's like comparing Coldplay to the Vines."

Now or Never drops next Tuesday (Oct. 29); Justified is out Nov. 5. For more on Justin and Nick, check out the CDNOW interviews by Allison Stewart on Nov. 6 and Nov. 12, respectively.

Gossip on Britney Spears, Nick Carter, & Justin Timberlake

Oct 2, 2002, 1:40 pm PT

While most of the gossip surrounding the Justin Timberlake/Britney Spears breakup has been about whom Timberlake has been slutting around various towns with, the latest rumor could send shock waves through the pop community.

Reports are surfacing that Spears has been seen on more than a few occasions with Timberlake's 'NSync rival Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys.

"Ouch" is really all we can say to that one.

Reps for both artists at Jive Records did not return calls for comment by press time. Naturally…