- AJ McLean and wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean separate but do not divorce
- The couple married in December 2011 after dating for six years
- The Backstreet Boys star, who has kept his sobriety for over a year, is currently in the midst of a worldwide tour with the band
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean has split from his wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean.
AJ, 45, and Rochelle, 41, announced the news to TMZ and clarified that they have no plans for divorce but want to “work on themselves.”
“Marriage is tough, but it’s worth it. We have decided together to temporarily separate to work on ourselves and our marriage in hopes of building a stronger future,” he told the outlet.
“The plan is to get back together and continue to nurture our love for one another and for our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time.’
“The breakup is hard enough without the comment, please be kind and remember children are involved,” the statement concluded.
The couple, who have two daughters together, married in 2011 after dating for six years.
The Latest: Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean splits from wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean Family: The couple, who have two daughters together, married in 2011 after dating for six years
AJ and Rochelle, a makeup artist and hairstylist, met in October 2001.
The duo began dating in 2006 when the singer proposed to her on his birthday – January 9, 2010.
They married his Backstreet Boys bandmates on December 17, 2011 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Rochelle celebrated her 11th anniversary in December 2022 with a throwback to her and added lyrics from a Guns N’ Roses song called November Rain.
“And when your fears subside / And shadows remain, oh yes / I know you can love me when there’s no one left to blame / So forget the darkness, we can still find a way / Cause nothing lasts forever, Even cold November rain.’
She added #eleven in honor of their 11th wedding anniversary and a black heart and lyrical emoji.
In October 2020, AJ spoke about his journey to sobriety after 20 years of drug and alcohol addiction.
He had just returned home from a trip to Las Vegas.
“I’ve never been sober. Not for a second. And the turning point for me was when I got home, my wife could smell it on my breath and my youngest of two daughters didn’t want to sit with me,” he told Good Morning America.
After that moment, AJ has maintained his sobriety and is working with a program and sponsor.
The star: AJ, 45, and Rochelle, 41, announced the news to TMZ, clarifying that they are not divorcing but are splitting up with Bittersweet: Rochelle celebrated their 11th anniversary in December 2022 with a throwback of them and added lyrics from a Guns N’ Roses song called November Rain Global Stars: His drug addiction was a secret for a time until his Backstreet Boys bandmates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough found out about it; seen at their concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil on January 23, 2023
Adding: “There’s too much to live with today – my beautiful kids, my amazing wife, my career, my brothers. I’ve never felt so grounded as I do today.”
During the same interview, AJ revealed when his drug addiction began.
“The first time I tried drugs was literally an hour before my call time for The Call video shoot,” he recalled.
“I was off the walls” during video shoot.
His drug addiction was a secret for a while, until his Backstreet Boys bandmates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough found out.
“When the guys somehow noticed, I missed the rehearsal. They practically broke into my house and poured ice water all over me while I was passed out in my bed.”
“Everyone started to understand. I wasn’t me anymore, you know, I was just living a lie,” AJ said.
He first entered rehab in July 2001 and reentered in 2001. The star went for a third time in 2011.
In September 2022, AJ revealed during an interview with Today that he was in the best shape of his life and also a year sober.
The star revealed he’s lost 32 pounds since beginning his lifestyle change in February 2022.
AJ has been sober since September 27, 2022.
He eliminated alcohol and fast food from his diet and worked with a trainer.
AJ and Rochelle are parents to Ava (10) and Lyric (6). Ava decided to change her name to Elliott last year.
In September 2022, AJ opened up about the name change, revealing that she felt her name wasn’t unique.
“When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliot, I didn’t know at first if it was a transgender thing, which it isn’t, but it’s a personal choice,” he said during an appearance on the Today Show via page six.
Talented: AJ, Nick, Brian, Kevin and Howie formed the Backstreet Boys in 1993; they’re in the middle of their DNA World Tour in support of their 2019 album DNA; seen on January 27, 2023 at their tour stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil Birthday Boy: Last week the Lyrics couple celebrated their sixth birthday
Last week, the couple celebrated their sixth birthday.
He shared snaps from her birthday party on his Instagram page and wrote: “Happiest of bdays to my mini me. Daddy is so proud of the little woman you are. i love you baby girl Happy birthday my love! Now let’s go party!’
AJ, Nick, Brian, Kevin and Howie formed the Backstreet Boys in 1993; They are in the middle of their DNA World Tour in support of their 2019 album DNA.
The tour began in May 2019 with a two-year hiatus from March 2020 to April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tour resumed in Las Vegas on April 8, 2022 and is currently ongoing.
Her last show was in Hong Kong on March 15, 2023.
They are on a short hiatus until April 28, 2023, with the band playing in Reykjavik, Iceland and then to Egypt, India and then the Middle East before concluding in South Africa on May 20, 2023.