ABC/Adam Larkey Singer Aaron Carter has entered a rehab center to treat addiction issues, a source tells E! exclusively.
The 23-year-old former Dancing With the Stars contestant checked into a private Southern California facility earlier this month, says the source.
The source reveals that Carter's choice to go to rehab was his move to "finally get help" and not a court-mandated decision. "He was struggling recently and needed this," adds a source.
Carter's manager Johnny Wright confirms the report, telling E! exclusively:
"Several months ago Aaron came to me to help him return to music and to restart his career. He has been in Orlando working on a new album and perfecting his live show and his physical body. Aaron, understanding the challenges and hard work it would take to get himself back to the top, requested to take some time before we started to heal some emotional and spiritual issues he was dealing with. Therefore he has chosen to enter a facility where he feels he will get the guidance and cleansing he needs that will help him on the music journey he's about to take. He asks that everyone keep him in their prayers and that they respect his privacy at this time."
Once a teen star (and reported romantically linked to both Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff), Carter has most recently been in Orlando working on his new album. But friends and family are said to have urged that he stop working and fly to LA to seek treatment.
In 2006, Carter starred in the E! reality show House of Carters with his family, including his older brother, Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys. Later that year, Aaron appeared on Celebrity Rehab 2 and was treated for substance abuse.
Older brother Nick has been very supportive, reportedly visiting Aaron at the facility between rehearsals for the NKOTBSB tour, a source tells E!
Carter hasn't let his reported rehab stint stifle his tweeting habits, posting positive and inspirational messages on Twitter over the past couple weeks, including "I had a great day with my brother @NickCarter he always comes to bat for me when others believe someone else over me!" and "Life Has Its up's & Downs, You Can Only Live & Learn. Never Lose Faith!! & Always Believe In Yourself! As I Am learning To Do Every day."
The last time Carter was in the news was December 24, when rumor of his overdose took over Twitter. Carter's manager Wright shot down the claim, telling E!, "Aaron Carter is alive and well at my compound in Orlando..."
(Originally published Jan. 23, 2011 at 3:50 p.m. PT)