Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean is separating with his wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean.
AJ, 45, and Rochelle, 41, announced the news to TMZ, clarifying that they are not divorcing, but separating.
‘Marriage is hard, but worth it. We have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on ourselves, and on our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future,’ he told the outlet.
‘The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another, and our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time.’
‘Separation is hard enough without the commentary, please be kind and remember there are children involved,’ the statement concluded.
The couple, who share two daughters, married in 2011 after dating for six years.
The latest: Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean is separating with his wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean
Family: The couple, who share two daughters, 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, with the singer proposing to her on his birthday – January 9, 2010.
They married on December 17, 2011 at the Beverly Hills hotel with his Backstreet Boys bandmates in attendance.
Rochelle commemorated their 11th anniversary in December 2022 with a throwback snap of them, adding lyrics from a Guns N’ Roses song called November Rain.
‘And when your fears subside/ And shadows still remain, oh yeah/ I know that you can love me when there’s no one left to blame/So never mind the darkness, we still can find a way/’Cause nothin’ last forever, even cold November rain.’
She added #eleven in honor of their 11th wedding anniversary and a black heart and lyric emoji.
In October 2020, AJ spoke out about his sobriety journey after a 20 year addiction to drugs and alcohol.
He had just returned home from a trip to Las Vegas.
‘I was never sober. Not for a second. And the turning point for me was when I came back home, my wife could smell it on my breath and my youngest of two daughters would not sit with me,’ he told Good Morning America.
Following that moment, AJ has maintained his sobriety and works with a program and sponsor.
The star: AJ, 45, and Rochelle, 41, announced the news to TMZ , clarifying that they are not divorcing, but separating
Bittersweet: Rochelle commemorated their 11th anniversary in December 2022 with a throwback snap of them, adding lyrics from a Guns N’ Roses song called November Rain
Adding: ‘There’s too much to live for today – my beautiful children, my amazing wife, my career, my brothers. I’ve never felt more grounded than I do today.’
During the same interview, AJ revealed when his drug addiction started.
‘The first time I tried drugs was literally an hour before my call time to The Call video shoot,’ he recalled.
‘I was off the walls’ during the video shoot.
His drug addiction was a secret for a while until his Backstreet Boys band mates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough caught on.
‘When the boys kind of caught on, I missed out on rehearsal. They basically broke into my house, and they dumped ice water on me while I was passed out in my bed.’
‘Everybody started to catch on. I wasn’t me anymore, you know, I was just living a lie,’ AJ said.
He first went to rehab in July 2001, entering again in 2001. The star went for a third time in 2011.
In September 2022, AJ revealed he was in the best shape of his life and also one year sober during an interview with Today.
The star revealed he lost 32 pounds since starting his lifestyle change in February 2022.
He removed alcohol and fast food from his diet and worked with a trainer.
AJ and Rochelle are parents to Ava, 10, and Lyric, six. Ava decided to change her name to Elliott last year.
Global stars: His drug addiction was a secret for a while until his Backstreet Boys band mates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough caught on; seen at their concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil on January 23, 2023
In September 2022, AJ opened up about the name change, revealing that she felt like her name wasn’t unique.
‘When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliot, initially, I didn’t know if it was a transgender thing, which it is not, but it is a personal choice,’ he said during an appearance on the Today show, via Page Six.
Last week, the couple celebrated Lyric turning six.
He shared snaps from her birthday party to his Instagram page, writing: ‘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 celebrate!’
