AJ McLean | |
|---|---|
 McLean atGalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023 | |
| Born | (1978-01-09)January 9, 1978 (age 47) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Alma mater | Osceola High School |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Backstreet Boys |
Musical artist | |
| Website | ajmclean |
| Signature | |
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Alexander James McLean (born January 9, 1978)[1] is an American singer. He is a founding member of the pop vocal groupBackstreet Boys.
McLean was born on January 9, 1978, inWest Palm Beach, Florida, to Denise (née Fernandez, now Solis), a hospital worker, author and motivation coach,[2] and Robert Blue “Bob” McLean, a musician.[3] Denise is ofCuban-Puerto Rican andGerman ancestry and Bob is ofScots-Irish andEnglish descent. A DNA test described his genetic ancestry asNorth,West andEast European,North African,Nigerian andAshkenazi Jewish.[4][5] He is an only child.[6][7] He was raised by his mother and grandparents as his parents divorced when he was two years old.[6]: 13 He rarely saw his father but reunited with him in 1997. They have since kept in regular contact following their seventeen-year estrangement.[8]: 12
As a child, McLean had aspeech impediment, which gave him alisp and a tendency tostutter.[citation needed]
He discovered his love for performing and started to pursue a career in acting, dancing, and singing. When he was four, McLean began to focus on his love for dance. His mother signed him up for two hours of dance lessons every day. He tookballet for four years,jazz,tap,hip hop, rhythm tap, rhythm hip-hop,contemporary,ballroom,salsa,merengue, andgymnastics. His mother got him into modeling when he was around five years old, and he was featured inJ.C. Penney catalogs and runways. Aside from that, he took upfencing. His grandmother, who was like a second mother to him, taught himpiano and took him to auditions while he was growing up.[9][10] At age six, McLean was part of a school play,Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in which he played Dopey, at Unity ofDelray Beach church and school. He also appeared in more traditional musicals such asThe Nutcracker,The King and I, andFiddler on the Roof before the age of 11. By age 12, he had performed in 27 classic school plays.
In addition to singing and acting, he was a serious dance student learning everything from jazz to ballet to hip hop.[6] He stated in interviews that "Dancing was really my thing in the early days. I wanted to be a dancer way above an actor or a singer."[8]: 15 When he was 12, he started his first dance troupe and would go to dance competitions, which was a valuable experience even though they didn't win.[8]: 17
In January 1986, at eight years old, McLean acted in his first role as Little Mike in the 1986 filmTruth or Dare?. In 1990, McLean, his mother, and grandparents moved toKissimmee, Florida to pursue his acting and singing career. For four years, he attended a private acting school, the Florida Academy of Dramatic Arts, acted in the drama club and small plays and modeled periodically. In 1991, McLean landed a role in theNickelodeon comedy seriesHi Honey, I'm Home! as Skunk. However, after the pilot, he was cut from the show due to being too tall, and Eric Kushnick was cast instead.[11]
In 1989, at age 11, he saw an ad in the newspaper for a Latin festival. Since his grandfather had Latin roots, he decided to audition. He won first place and a $1,000 prize. The festival's producer hired him to perform a 45-minute one-person show and did a puppet show, showcasing his singing, acting, and dancing. At the Latin festival, he met a young 16-year-oldHowie Dorough (Tony Donetti at the time) through a mutual vocal coach.[12][8] When he was 13 years old, McLean tried out forStar Search, but never received a call back from the show.
In junior high, McLean won a part in Nickelodeon's seriesWelcome Freshmen, which began his ongoing work relationship with Nickelodeon and theDisney Channel. He also appeared on the Nickelodeon showGUTS and aMuppets commercial. It was during one of his auditions for the former that he metHowie D. andNick Carter, lacing together the roots of the group that was to become Backstreet Boys.
Due to his love of performing and not participating in the same sports as his peers, he was bullied, called names, and given a hard time.[8]: 15 He described himself at this young age as a weirdo[13] and "wacky."[8]: 15 He remarked that being made fun of had been very upsetting for him, but he felt it stemmed from others' jealousy of his talents and the subsequent attention that gave him.[8]: 15–17
In March 1992, an ad was placed in a local newspaper seeking young men between the ages of 16-19 for an audition for a new music group. Despite being 14 years old, he auditioned for the group. By April 1992, McLean was officially the group's first member to join the newly formedBackstreet Boys. After six months atOsceola High School, he finished the remaining three years of high school through correspondence courses with a tutor on the road after joining the Backstreet Boys.[8] McLean,Nick Carter,Howie Dorough,Kevin Richardson, and Richardson's cousinBrian Littrell formed the vocal group Backstreet Boys in 1993. The group enjoyed extensive commercial success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.
McLean created a character named "Johnny No Name" as his alter ego. He uses this as his name when not performing with other members of the Backstreet Boys.[14] The character has similarities to McLean; for instance, both had single mothers and lived with their grandparents from a young age. There are also differences – Johnny has been to prison,[15] whereas McLean has not. McLean has occasionally performed as Johnny No Name in rock/metal clubs around New York. He established the JNN Foundation to fund diabetes research and other causes, such as keeping music programs in schools. McLean also performed a nine-city tour to supportVH1 Save the Music as Johnny No Name. A source said he would release a solo album as Johnny No Name, but it never happened.
McLean's alter ego was originally named Johnny Suede. This shared a name with a character played byBrad Pitt in afilm of the same name, and when the film's movie studioMiramax threatened to sue McLean, he changed the name to Johnny No Name.[16][17]
It was not until March 2008 when McLean finally started to perform his first two solo shows at theAnaheimHouse of Blues andThe Roxy inLos Angeles. The show consisted of his solo material and a solo version of the Backstreet Boys hit, "Incomplete." The solo tour continued through Europe in May and June, parallel to the Backstreet Boys tour. His solo albumHave It All was released on January 20, 2010. On the Backstreet Boys cruise in December 2010, it was said that the US version would be released on February 8, 2011, but since then has not been released.[18] While creating his solo project, McLean worked with theOneRepublic vocalistRyan Tedder, producersDan Muckala andKristian Lundin, as well as formerNSYNC memberJC Chasez. The album was a mix ofpop,rock, and somer&b. The first and only single from the album, "Teenage Wildlife," was co-written by Chasez. The album featured his co-written ten songs, including a personal song about his father, "Sincerely Yours." In 2011, McLean had said he would release the album in 2012 in the US, featuring songs from his first solo album, but he eventually scrapped the idea.
In June 2012, McLean was working on a second solo original album. On July 23, 2012, he posted two new songs onSocialcam: "Peach" and "P.L.A.R.S." The album was announced for release in 2012 but was pushed back.
Around early 2015, McLean said he was working on a new solo album with Jordan Omley of The Jam, who worked on several Backstreet Boys songs on the albumsThis Is Us andIn A World Like This. The first single, "Live Together," was named for a charitable foundation started by McLean and Omley; a music video was filmed to help raise money forMarshall Fundamental Secondary School inPasadena, California, who had had their musical instruments stolen. McLean, along with singersBecky G, Omley, andBlake Lewis, visited, and some even performed at the school. "Live Together" premiered onPeople.com on May 12, 2015, and the video was released on October 5, 2015. Meanwhile, the album experienced delays, partly due to McLean recording new tracks and the Backstreet Boys' preparation and promotion for their 2017Las Vegas residencyBackstreet Boys: Larger Than Life.
On May 22, 2013, a Finnish rapperRedrama released a single, "Clouds," featuring McLean. It peaked at No. 4 on thesingles chart inFinland.[19]
A second solo album titledNaked was set to be released in September 2016 but was delayed.[20] "Live Together" was released as the lead single on September 4, 2015, oniTunes.[21]
On April 15, 2018, at the53rd annualAcademy of Country Music Awards, during an interview withBillboard, McLean discussed his plans to "disruptcountry music" for his next solo project. He also said that the Backstreet Boys' collaboration onFlorida Georgia Line's "God, Your Mama, and Me" inspired him to make a country album.[22] On June 4, 2018, McLean released the single "Back Porch Bottle Service" from an upcoming album.[23] McLean continued his foray intocountry-pop releasing the ballad "Boy and a Man" in March 2019 as a single from an upcoming albumLong Road.[24] The video was directed byRené Elizondo Jr., best known for his work withJanet Jackson.
During theCOVID-19 pandemic, McLean released "Love Song Love" on April 27, 2021, which showcased his support for theLGBT community[25][26] and then put out a new single "Smoke" on July 15, 2022, that he recorded with his group ATCK. McLean also announced he was set to release his second solo album, his first in 12 years since,Have It All calledSex and Bodies.[27]
On February 14, 2024, (Valentine's Day), McLean released a new song called Electric under his full name, Alexander James.[28] In March 2024, McLean announced that he andNSYNC memberJoey Fatone were coheadlining a tour together.[29][30]
On July 22, 2015, McLean launched Skulleeroz Vapor, a line of liquids for use withelectronic cigarettes.[31]
In 2020, McLean announced hisnail polish line Ava Dean Beauty, which launched on November 30, 2020. He was inspired by his daughters.[32]
In 1992, McLean was a contestant on the kids' game showNickelodeon Guts. In April 2002, he made a guest appearance voicing himself in theStatic Shock episode "Duped".
McLean also appeared and performed with the Backstreet Boys onArthur,Sesame Street,Sabrina the Teenage Witch, andSaturday Night Live. The Backstreet Boys, including McLean, made their film debut by appearing in the 2013 comedyThis Is the End. In September 2018, McLean provided the voice of thegolden mole Kuchimba on an episode ofDisney'sThe Lion Guard. In 2016, McLean appeared in bandmateNick Carter's music video for "19 in 99" as a pizza delivery man. In 2019, he voiced the character Lucy the Fairy in the episode "Cedric & the Fairies" ofThe Bravest Knight.[33] On November 16, 2021, McLean announced he was to be the host for the second season ofFashion Hero, filming inSouth Africa in 2022.[34][35]
In August 2020, McLean was announced as one of the celebrities competing onseason 29 ofDancing with the Stars, placing seventh in the competition.[36]
McLean was revealed as a contestant onRuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race as Poppy Love.[37] On September 30, 2022, during the season finale, Poppy Love was crowned the winner. Due to his win,Trans Lifeline would receive a $100,000 award.
After McLean's grandmother died in 2001, he struggled with alcohol addiction.[38][39] In 1999, theInternational Star Registry named a star in theAquila constellation after McLean.[40] On June 7, 2021, McLean's stepfather Tony Solis died.[41]
McLean has had several relationships during his career. After joining the Backstreet Boys in 1992, McLean began dating Marissa Jackson, daughter of former manager Donna Wright and stepdaughter ofJohnny Wright; their relationship lasted for six years.[6]: 80 She is seen in the music video for "We've Got It Goin' On" and helped out on the band's first world tour with wardrobe and as a hairstylist.[42] After their breakup, she wrote the bookLoving A.J.: My 6-Year Romance with a Backstreet Boy.[43] McLean datedAmanda Latona ofInnosense for two years,[44] one of the band's dancers, Kristin denehy, for 3 months and was engaged to singer Sarah Martin in 2002 but they split up.[45][46]
McLean met model and makeup artist/hairstylist Rochelle Deanna Karidis in October 2001,[47][48] before the two reunited in 2006 and then began dating in 2009.[49] On his birthday in 2010, McLean proposed to Karidis. He credits her with motivating him to get sober and overcome his years-long struggle with drug addiction.[50] The couple got married on December 17, 2011, atthe Beverly Hills Hotel with the rest of the Backstreet Boys in attendance.[51][52][53] They have two daughters together.[54] On New Year's Day 2024, after 12 years of marriage, the couple announced their decision to divorce after temporarily separating.[55][56][57][58]
At the height of his Backstreet Boys career, McLean suffered fromdrug andalcohol addiction. He stated the first time he usedcocaine was on the set of the video for "The Call" in 2000. His bandmate Kevin Richardson confronted him in July 2001. McLean threatened to quit the band but later broke down and arrangedrehab for drug and alcohol abuse. On July 9, 2001, a press release was sent out stating that the remainder of the dates in Boston would be canceled due to Nick Carter injuring his hand. The rest of the group appeared onMTV'sTotal Request Live to announce McLean was going into rehab for one month, after which the group resumed theirBlack & Blue Tour.[59][60]
He entered rehab once again in 2002.[61][62] On January 10, 2011, he checked into rehab for the third time, stating it was for personal reasons.[63] In preparation for theNew Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys'NKOTBSB tour, McLean said, "I want to be healthy and perform and sing for people at my very best and happiest." His time in rehab did not affect the tour.[64] He said he wanted to be healthy and sober before getting married. He originally planned to marry in May 2011 but had pushed back the date because of the NKOTBSB Tour.[65] McLean admitted in 2020 that he had relapsed at the end of 2019, but was working to stay sober to be a better husband and father.[66]
After 20 years free of alcohol, McLean began hosting12-stepAlcoholics Anonymous meetings. He said he had divided his career from his personal life because of the strain of touring.[67] He toldPeople that he "battled self-esteem issues my entire life, and I’ve learned a lot. My sobriety is the most solid it’s ever been."[68]
In 2020, before his appearance onDancing with the Stars, McLean stated he was completely sober and following a strict diet: grain-free, gluten-free, plant-based, and sugar-free.[69] Two years later, he reported success in losing excess weight, keeping a trim body and not having alcohol or fast food.[70]
| Year | Title | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| JAP | ||
| Have It All |
| 31 |
| Sex and Bodies |
|
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Teenage Wildlife" | Have It All |
| 2015 | "Live Together" | Non-album singles |
| 2018 | "Night Visions" | |
| 2019 | "Boy and a Man" | |
| 2021 | "Love Song Love" | |
| 2022 | "Smoke" | TBA |
| 2024 | "Electric" |
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | "You" | Non-album singles |
| 2018 | "Back Porch Bottle Service" | |
| 2019 | "Give You Away" | |
| 2020 | "Love on the Brain" |
| Year | Single | Peak chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIN | |||
| 2013 | "Clouds"withRedrama | 4 | Reflection |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Truth or Dare? | Young Mike Strauber | |
| 1991 | Hi Honey, I'm Home! | Sidney "Skunk" Duff | Original pilot episode |
| 1992 | Nickelodeon Guts | Himself | Known as AJ "Mean" McLean |
| 1993 | Welcome Freshmen | Sophomore Boy | Episode: "Othello the (Sopho)moor"[71] |
| Tickits | Boy in Car | Short film[72] | |
| 1998 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Himself | Episode: "Battle of the Bands" |
| 1998–1999 | Saturday Night Live | "Julianne Moore/Backstreet Boys" (Season 23: episode 16) "Sarah Michelle Gellar/Backstreet Boys" (Season 24: episode 19) | |
| 1999 | Fully Booked | Episode: "5.2" | |
| 2001 | Olive Juice | DJ Naughty | |
| 2002 | Static Shock | Himself | Voice, episode: "Duped"[73] |
| Arthur | Voice, episode: "Arthur, It's Only Rock and Roll" | ||
| Sesame Street | Episode: "3987" | ||
| 2005 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Musical Guest with the Backstreet Boys | |
| SMAPxSMAP | |||
| 2009 | El Hormiguero | ||
| 2012 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | ||
| 2013 | This Is the End | With the Backstreet Boys, performing "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" | |
| El Hormiguero | Musical Guest with the Backstreet Boys | ||
| 2014 | I Heart Nick Carter | ||
| 2016 | Undateable | 2 episodes | |
| Dead 7 | Johnny Vermillion | ||
| 2018 | The Lion Guard | Kuchimba | Voice, episode: "The Underground Adventure"[73] |
| 2019 | The Bravest Knight | Lucy[74] | |
| The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story | Himself | ||
| 2020 | Dancing with the Stars | Himself (contestant) | Season 29 |
| 2021 | Days of Our Lives | Van Driver | |
| 2022 | RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race | Poppy Love (contestant), winner | Season 2 |
| Studio albums | |
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| Reissues |
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| Compilation albums | |
| Live albums | |
| Tours | |
| Filmography | |
| Related articles | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
