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Nick Carter Wants It That Way at Advocate.com

In a new interview with Advocate.com, Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter opens up about the new album (featuring songs by Lady Gaga producer RedOne) and his brother Aaron appearing on Dancing with the Stars.

Additionally, Carter talks about his big gay following and having appeared as a cover boy on a gay teen magazine when he was 17 and way before it was trendy.

Advocate: If you did something like XY now and you were the same age and at the same stage in your career, do you think it would be such a big deal?

Carter: “Honestly, I have so many gay friends, family members who are gay… it’s not a big deal to me. It may have been a big deal back in the day when I was young, but, you know, whatever. It’s part of our culture now and that’s what’s great about it. People accept it now. I love it. “

Check out the full article at Advocate.com.

NICK CARTER IS LOVING LIFE - SHIRTLESS!

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is in the best shape of his life after a 10 year drug and alcohol problem. Mild chest pain led Carter to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy...a weakening of the heart muscle that, in extreme cases, can require a transplant or lead to sudden death. “I’m trying to make myself better," Carter tells PEOPLE, "But I don’t regret anything that I’ve gone through, because it makes me who I am.”

After a couple of mild slip-ups and a blunt conversation with his cardiologist, Carter is now sober and healthy, down from 224 lbs. to 167, and lookin' hot. Most importantly, he's feeling good. Today, says Carter, life is "awesome."

MUST SEE VIDEO: The Backstreet Boy tells how his party-boy past led to near-disaster – and why he wouldn't change a thing.

For more on Carter's recovery – including how his tumultuous family life affected his struggles, why he moved from L.A. to Nashville, and the secret behind his dramatic 57 lb. weight loss – pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.