AJ McLean facts for kids

Quick facts for kids AJ McLean
McLean at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023
Born	(1978-01-09) January 9, 1978 (age 47) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Other names	Johnny No Name Bone Alexander James
Alma mater	Osceola High School
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1986–present
Spouse(s)	Rochelle Karidis ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2024)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B pop rock country pop
Labels	Jive Avex Podwall
Signature

Alexander James McLean (born January 9, 1978) is an American singer. He is famous for being a founding member of the popular pop group Backstreet Boys.

Early Life and Family

AJ McLean was born on January 9, 1978, in West Palm Beach, Florida. His mother, Denise, has Cuban, Puerto Rican, and German roots. His father, Robert, has Scots-Irish and English heritage.

AJ is an only child. His parents divorced when he was two years old. He was raised by his mother and grandparents. He reconnected with his father in 1997 and they have stayed in touch since.

Starting a Career

Early Talents

As a child, AJ had a slight lisp and sometimes stuttered. This did not stop him from finding his love for performing. He started pursuing acting, dancing, and singing at a young age.

When he was four, AJ began dance lessons every day. He learned many styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballroom. He also took gymnastics.

Modeling and Acting

AJ's mother helped him get into modeling when he was about five. He appeared in catalogs and fashion shows. His grandmother, who was very important to him, taught him piano and took him to auditions.

At age six, AJ played Dopey in a school play of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He also performed in other musicals like The Nutcracker and The King and I. By age 12, he had been in 27 school plays.

Dancing was very important to AJ in his early years. He even started his first dance group at age 12. In 1986, at eight years old, he acted in the film Truth or Dare?.

Moving to Florida

In 1990, AJ and his family moved to Kissimmee, Florida. This move helped him focus more on his acting and singing. He attended a private acting school for four years.

In 1991, AJ got a role in the Nickelodeon show Hi Honey, I'm Home!. However, he was too tall for the part after the first episode.

Meeting Future Bandmates

At age 11, AJ won a singing competition at a Latin festival. There, he met Howie Dorough, who would later become a bandmate. AJ also tried out for Star Search but did not get a callback.

He appeared on other Nickelodeon shows like GUTS and Welcome Freshmen. It was during an audition for GUTS that he met Howie D. and Nick Carter. These meetings helped form the future Backstreet Boys.

AJ faced bullying because he loved performing instead of playing sports. He felt that others were jealous of his talents.

Backstreet Boys

McLean performing in 2009

In March 1992, an advertisement looked for young men to join a new music group. Even though AJ was only 14, he auditioned. By April 1992, he was the first member to join the Backstreet Boys.

After joining the group, AJ finished high school through online courses. The Backstreet Boys officially formed in 1993 with AJ, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell. The group became very successful in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Solo Music and Projects

Johnny No Name

AJ McLean created a character called "Johnny No Name." This is his alter ego, a different personality he uses when not with the Backstreet Boys. Johnny No Name has some things in common with AJ, like being raised by a single mother and grandparents.

AJ has performed as Johnny No Name in rock clubs. He also started the JNN Foundation to help with diabetes research and keep music programs in schools. He even did a tour to support VH1 Save the Music as Johnny No Name.

Have It All Album

In 2008, AJ started performing solo shows. His first solo album, Have It All, was released on January 20, 2010. He worked with artists like Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic and former NSYNC member JC Chasez.

The album was a mix of pop, rock, and R&B. The first single was "Teenage Wildlife." The album also included a personal song about his father called "Sincerely Yours."

Recent Music

In 2013, AJ was featured on a song called "Clouds" by Finnish rapper Redrama. This song became very popular in Finland.

In 2018, AJ shared his plans to make a country music album. He released the single "Back Porch Bottle Service" and later "Boy and a Man" in 2019. The music video for "Boy and a Man" was directed by René Elizondo Jr..

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AJ released "Love Song Love" in 2021. This song showed his support for the LGBT community. In 2022, he released "Smoke" with his group ATCK. In 2024, he released a new song called "Electric" under his full name, Alexander James.

AJ also announced a tour with *NSYNC member Joey Fatone.

Other Ventures

In 2015, AJ launched Skulleeroz Vapor, a line of liquids for electronic cigarettes. In 2020, he started his own nail polish line called Ava Dean Beauty. He named it after his daughters.

TV and Film Appearances

AJ McLean has appeared in many TV shows and films. In 1992, he was a contestant on the kids' game show Nickelodeon Guts. In 2002, he was a guest voice on the cartoon Static Shock.

He also appeared with the Backstreet Boys on shows like Arthur, Sesame Street, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Saturday Night Live. The Backstreet Boys also appeared in the 2013 comedy film This Is the End.

In 2018, AJ voiced the character Kuchimba on Disney's The Lion Guard. In 2019, he voiced Lucy the Fairy in The Bravest Knight. In 2021, AJ announced he would host the second season of Fashion Hero.

Dancing with the Stars

In 2020, AJ was one of the celebrities on season 29 of Dancing with the Stars. He finished in seventh place in the competition.

RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race

AJ McLean was a contestant on RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race as Poppy Love. In September 2022, Poppy Love won the competition. Because of his win, Trans Lifeline received a $100,000 award.

Personal Life

In 1999, a star in the Aquila constellation was named after AJ McLean by the International Star Registry. His stepfather, Tony Solis, passed away in 2021.

Relationships and Family

AJ McLean has had several relationships. He dated Marissa Jackson for six years, who even helped the Backstreet Boys on tour. She later wrote a book about their relationship.

AJ met model and makeup artist Rochelle Deanna Karidis in 2001. They started dating in 2009 and got married on December 17, 2011. All the Backstreet Boys attended their wedding. They have two daughters together. In 2024, AJ and Rochelle announced their divorce. They remain good friends and continue to co-parent their daughters as a family.

Health and Fitness

In 2020, before appearing on Dancing with the Stars, AJ focused on his health. He followed a strict diet that was grain-free, gluten-free, plant-based, and sugar-free. He has successfully lost weight and kept fit.

Discography

Albums

Singles

As main artist

Promotional singles

Duets

Filmography

See Also

In Spanish: AJ McLean para niños

• Backstreet Boys