BACKSTREET Boys star AJ McLean has revealed he wants to be called by a new name.
The 46-year-old singer wants to use his full name, “Alexander James,” after going on a “personal journey” in which he dealt with “past trauma.”
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AJ said he wanted to leave behind his identity as “one-fifth” of the Backstreet Boys.
He made the revelation while appearing on fellow boy band star Lance Bass’ podcast, Matte Tips with Lance Bass.
“I heard you want to start using Alex more than AJ,” Lance said.
“AJ, now I’ve kind of learned that it’s a persona, it’s a character, if you will,” AJ responded.
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He added that he went on “this little personal journey” when he spent 10 weeks in an intensive outpatient program called The Meadows.
“Not so much for my sobriety,” AJ said.
“But really to get to the roots and clean the pipes and, you know, deal with some past trauma and stuff.”
He said he learned the “two key words” – “boundaries” and “authenticity” – during the experience.
The singer praised author Brené Brown for “deeply inspiring me” and said he got the term “brave” tattooed on his arm.
“Which means boundaries, reliability, responsibility, failure, integrity, non-judgment and gratitude,” AJ explained.
“So Alexander James is me being my true, authentic self.”
AJ’s new identity comes after he announced his split from Rochelle DeAnna McLean after 12 years together.
“As you all know, we have been separated for over a year,” they wrote on Instagram in January.
“Although we hoped for reconciliation, we have decided to officially end our marriage.
AJ’s struggle with drugs and alcohol
AJ McLean has spoken openly about his former drug and alcohol addiction, which plagued him for 20 years.
The singer, who achieved global fame in the 1990s with the Backstreet Boys, said he was a “late bloomer” and didn’t really drink until he was 25.
“I was anti-cigarette, anti-tattoo, anti-drinking, anti-drug,” he said. People in 2020.
He says he later “fell into that world of low self-esteem and seeking external validation” and began abusing drugs and alcohol.
The singer chose to seek help after hitting “rock bottom” while participating in a Shania Twain concert in January 2020.
“Before I even got on the plane, I had already planned the whole night. I knew where I was going to get my drugs. I knew where I was going to get drunk,” he recalled.
The singer finally returned home to his then-wife and two children after two missed flights “smelling” of alcohol and recalled how his then-3-year-old daughter Lyric said he didn’t smell like her father.
AJ said the moment made him feel “gross” and he chose to finally seek help and began attending a 12-step program.
The former boyband revealed in 2023 that he has been sober for two years and goes to weekly meetings.
“It is with deep love and respect that we make this decision.”
They married in December 2011 in Los Angeles after meeting in 2008 while she was working as a waitress at a restaurant.
The exes share two daughters – Elliott, 11, and Lyric, 7.
AJ is currently on tour with former *NSYNC star Joey Fatone.
Joey described the show as “a journey through the magic of *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and everything in between.”
“I’ve known AJ as long as I’ve known the members of my own band. We’ve worked together in the past on unique projects here and there, but we’ve never had the opportunity to create something together,” he said in a statement. .
“This tour gives us the opportunity to combine the best of both musical worlds.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
