Backstreet bad Boy AJ McLean is touring with the group in preparation for their new album due out in 2005 after a well-publicized rehab stint, some time off, and solo projects. AJ McLean was born on January 9, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He endured a rocky childhood dealing with his parent's divorce when he was still very young. The divorce affected him deeply, causing him to become troubled and frustrated. When the worst was over, a young AJ discovered his love for performing and started to pursue a career in acting, dancing and singing.

AJ moved to Orlando in 1992 to concentrate on his acting career and at auditions frequently ran into those who would become the Backstreet Boys – Howie, Nick and Kevin. The four formed a singing group and invited Kevin’s cousin Brian Littrell to join them. The rest is history, as the Backstreet Boys exploded to stardom in Europe, South America and Asia in 1995 and in 1997, scored hits in the United States with the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me”. Their self-titled album sold over 13 million copies and their second album Millennium broke record sales with an astounding 1 million copies in its first week of release in the summer of 1999. Their third album, Black and Blue, was released in fall of 2000. However, they boys had to stop half way through their tour for Black and Blue due to AJ’s health.

AJ’s transformation into the tattooed and flirtatious bad boy began with the instant success of the Backstreet Boys when he was in his early teens. AJ’s success attracted people who were intoxicated by his fame, and AJ embraced his pop star caricature by taking people out and partying all night. When the Backstreet Boys released their third album Black and Blue, band members became distressed by AJ’s self-destructive behavior. His voice was faltering; he lost energy on stage and was not living up to his responsibilities within the group. After an intervention by his band mates in 2001, AJ checked himself into rehab to conquer alcohol abuse, depression and anxiety.

After rehab, those close to AJ say they saw an immediate change in his personality. AJ now recognizes that he needs to differentiate himself form the pop star persona. He needed to learn that when he walks off the stage, he becomes Alex.

AJ is also a big animal lover and is the proud owner of 3 dogs: Tank, Daisy and Serenity. Serenity is named after the prayer he would say every day while in recovery. “People think I’m a bad ass, but I’m not,” AJ confesses. “I play with my puppies, and I’m a huge animal lover – just a big sap.”

AJ and his fellow Backstreet Boys have just completed their much-anticipated fourth album due out in 2005. The boys recently toured South America, Asia and Europe at sold out shows and are preparing to release their first US single in early 2005. BSB fans are hungry to hear their heartthrobs once again!