| A.J. McLean | |
|---|---|
McLean in Malibu in February 2008 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander James McLean |
| Also known as | A.J., Alex, Bone |
| Born | January 9, 1978 Height: 5'9 |
| Origin | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, pop rock |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass guitar, piano, saxophone, acoustic guitar |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Jive, Avex, Podwall |
| Associated acts | Backstreet Boys |
Alexander James "A.J." McLean (born January 9, 1978[1]) is an American musician, singer, dancer, actor, and entertainer. He is a member of the Backstreet Boys.
Contents |
McLean was born in West Palm Beach, Florida to Bob and Denise (née Fernandez) McLean. He is of Cuban and German ancestry on his mother's side and Scottish, Irish and English on his father's side. His parents divorced when A.J. was two years old. [1] In January 1986 at 8 years old, he acted in his first role as Little Mike in the 1986 film Truth or Dare[2]
In 1990, he moved to Orlando, Florida with his mother and grandparents to concentrate on his acting and singing career. After numerous auditions for various Nickelodeon and Disney projects, including the Nickelodeon show GUTS, he landed a role in Nickelodeon's Welcome Freshmen, and in a comedy series called Hi Honey, I'm Home! on which he played a character named "Skunk". He later quit High School to pursue his show business career.
McLean created a character, whom he named "Johnny NoName", to use as his alter ego. He uses it as his name when not performing with other members of the Backstreet Boys.[3] 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[4] whereas McLean has not. McLean has occasionally performed in rock/metal clubs around New York as Johnny No Name. He established a foundation called the JNN Foundation to raise funds for diabetes research and other causes like keeping music programs in schools. McLean also did a nine-city tour to support VH1 Save the Music as Johnny No Name. Originally McLean's alter ego was named Johnny Suede. It shared its name with a character played by Brad Pitt and when the studio threatened to sue McLean, he changed the name to Johnny No Name.
In March 2008, McLean performed his first two solo shows (as himself) at the Anaheim House of Blues and The Roxy in Los 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, in parallel to Backstreet Boys tour. While creating his solo project, McLean worked with the OneRepublic vocalist Ryan Tedder, producers Dan Muckala and Kristian Lundin, plus the former 'N Sync member, JC Chasez. On January 20, 2010, Have It All, was released in Japan. He confirmed on the Backstreet Boys cruise in December 2010 that the US version would be released on February 8, 2011.[5]
In April 2002, In season 2 of Static Shock (A cartoon from 2000–2004) AJ made a guest appearance on the show. The title of the episode is called "Duped".[6] He also appeared as a contestant in the first season of the Nickelodeon game show Nickelodeon GUTS. AJ made appeared and performed with The Backstreet Boys on Arthur, Sesame Street, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and Saturday Night Live
McLean also suffered drug and alcohol addiction which he went to rehab for in 2001 (and again in 2002) following an intervention by the Backstreet Boys headed by former member Kevin Richardson. During an interview with New Zealand radio station ZM, McLean described his addictions as the hardest things he has ever had to go through, stating it is something he battles with every day.[7] He checked into rehab for the 3rd time on January 10, 2011 citing "personal reasons" which are most likely related to his history of alcohol abuse.[8] In preparation for the NKOTB and Backstreet Boys tour, McLean has 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.[9]
AJ is married to Rochelle Deanna Karidis whom he credits for helping him overcome his addiction and they were wed on December 17th, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.[10] Mindy Weiss is excited to be AJ and Rochelle's wedding planner, “I’m most looking forward to that because it’s going to be quite unique,” Mindy tells OK! Magazine. “They have a Goth kind of theme going on and I’m going to take that and make it elegant. The challenge is on and I just adore them!” [11] Celebrity photographer Tyler Shields will preside as minister for the themed wedding which he has described as going to be, "one of the craziest celebrity weddings ever." The rest of the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, and also former member Kevin Richardson will be in attendance.[12]
| Year | Title | Peak positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | JAP | |||
| Have It All |
|
— | — | |
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | JAP | |||
| 2010 | "Teenage Wildlife" | — | — | Have It All |
|
||||||||||||||||||||