Aaron Carter, a singer and actor known for the hit song “I Want Candy” and who gained teenage fame in the early 2000s, was discovered dead at his residence in Southern California on Saturday at the age of 34. Taylor Helgeson, a representative for Big Umbrella, an entertainment management company, verified Carter’s death but refrained from commenting on the cause.

Responding to a call at Carter’s home in Lancaster, California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department found a deceased individual at the location, as stated by Deputy Alejandra Parra, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department. However, officials were yet to confirm the identity as Carter.

Carter’s musical journey began at the age of 7, and he released his first album at 9. His fame peaked with the album “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 list. Despite releasing five studio albums and participating in “Dancing With the Stars,” his career encountered setbacks. In recent years, legal troubles and struggles with addiction became prominent aspects of his life.

In 2018, Carter made a comeback with the album “Love,” but it received lukewarm reviews. The once-described “tween heartthrob” had a prolific career, performing on Broadway and making appearances in shows like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “7th Heaven.”

Carter faced personal challenges, including a restraining order filed against him by his brother Nick and sister Angel in 2019. Despite denying the allegations, this development coincided with the cancellation of his 2019 tour. The singer had been vocal about his mental health struggles, seeking treatment at a wellness facility in 2018.

In a recent podcast interview on “No Jumper,” Carter discussed his endeavors in real estate and declared himself “Cali sober” for five years, acknowledging occasional marijuana use and prescribed anti-anxiety medication. The host of the podcast, Adam Grandmaison, revealed the news of Carter’s death, expressing sadness despite Carter’s ongoing battles.

Throughout the interview, Carter emphasized his multi-faceted identity as a rapper, singer, producer, artist, and actor. Despite challenges, he remained determined to continue making music and expressed a commitment to personal growth and family, especially regaining custody of his son amid reported concerns.

“I’m about to be 35 years old,” Carter stated. “I’m a grown man, and it’s time to start behaving that way and doing the right thing and focusing on myself, my career, my kid, and my family.”