The Carter siblings are rebuilding their family after 10 years of disjointed lives on House of Carters.

The Carter siblings are rebuilding their family after 10 years of disjointed lives on House of Carters.

Controversy has followed Backstreet Boy Nick Carter since he stepped into the spotlight more than a decade ago.

And the 26-year-old admits his dysfunctional family life has something to do with that.

Drunken wild nights out, his turbulent romance with hotel heiress Paris Hilton and his brother Aaron's highly publicised petition for legal emancipation from his mother, have made headlines around the world.

The eldest of five children, Nick says his celebrity has affected his siblings - Bobbie Jean (BJ), Leslie, and twins Angel and pop singer Aaron.

In a new fly-on-the-wall reality programme, House Of Carters, the siblings unite to rebuild their disjointed lives and strained relationships.

After 10 years living apart, the siblings allow a television crew to film their every move for the show, which is now screening in New Zealand.

"I feel like I am actually able to choose now and make things right," Nick says at the family's Los Angeles mansion.

"I didn't know where I was at certain times, having so much success.

"This gives me an opportunity to do something positive. The House Of Carters is a nut house. There are years and years of built-up tension and stress.

"We are righting the wrong of not knowing each other because this business tore us apart."

Nick's life has been on public display since he joined American boy band, the Backstreet Boys, in 1992.

The band has gone on to international stardom, selling more than 72 million albums worldwide.

While Aaron, 18, has followed in his brother's footsteps as a solo artist, their sisters say they've had to deal with feelings of neglect.

The girls had to play second fiddle to the boys as their parents, Robert and Jane, toured the world as managers.

"It truly is hard living in the shadow of somebody ... it's really hard feeling like you are not good enough," said Leslie, 19.

"You are at the bottom of the list of importance. It's sad when you think about it."

Jane and Robert divorced in 2004 and since then all siblings have been estranged from each other in one way or another.