Alexander James McLean, better known to the world as AJ McLean, is an American dancer, singer, and member of the iconic 90s boy band the Backstreet Boys. He was born on January 9, 1978, in West Palm Beach, Florida with a speech impediment, giving him a tendency to lisp and stutter. However, this didn’t stop McLean from pursuing his true passion, which was performing.
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At four years old, McLean took dancing lessons, including ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. He also learned the piano and started auditioning for school plays. By the time he was 14 years old, McLean answered an ad in a local newspaper looking for members for a new music group. He passed with flying colors and was the first member of the Backstreet Boys. He then met fellow members and lifelong friends, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell.
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AJ McLean went on to have a successful career with one of the most famous boy bands in the world. With millions of international fans and endless girls swooning over him, there’s no doubt that the singer is a certified heartthrob. However, McLean’s intense charisma onstage and personal choices had fans questioning his true sexuality. Is AJ McLean gay? Let’s take a look at his dating history.
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AJ McLean’s Relationships
During the peak of the 1990s and the early 2000s, AJ McLean was considered one of the most eligible bachelors worldwide. With his life under the microscope, fans paid close attention to anyone he was dating. Throughout the years, McLean had several reported relationships.
Marissa Jackson (1992-1997)
In 1992, McLean started dating Marissa Jackson, the daughter of his former manager, Donna Wright. Their relationship began shortly after he joined Backstreet Boys and lasted for six years before ending in 1997. After they split up, Jackson actually published a book about their romance titled “Loving A.J.: My 6-Year Romance with a Backstreet Boy.”
Amanda Latona (1998-2000)
At the beginning of 1998, McLean went on to date fellow singer Amanda Latona, who was a member of the girl group Innosense. Despite being under the spotlight, there aren’t a lot of details about the relationship. When the couple broke up in 2000, many fans assumed that it was because of their busy schedules and hectic careers.
Sarah Martin (2000-2005)
Before meeting his future wife, McLean had a relationship with another singer, Sarah Martin. It’s believed that they hooked up in December 2000 and got engaged the following year. In an interview with VH1 in 2002, he shared the happy news of their engagement and a few details of their nuptial plans. Surprisingly, the couple broke up later that year and had an on-and-off relationship until finally going their separate ways in 2005.
Rochelle Karidis (2006-2023)
In 2006, McLean began a relationship with makeup artist and hairstylist Rochelle Karidis. The pair actually met way before, in 2001 but didn’t start dating until five years later. After four years together, McLean proposed to Karidis on his birthday in 2010. They got married on December 17, 2011, and have welcomed two daughters since. Unfortunately, in March 2023, the couple announced that they would be “temporarily” separating.
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AJ McLean’s And The LGBTQ+ Community
Even before his shot to fame, AJ McLean had always been open about his sexuality. As a young boy who was interested in performing, he would often get teased by his peers. However, this didn’t bother McLean, who continued his artistic pursuits.
Although McLean identifies as a straight man, he strongly supports the LGBTQ+ community and doesn’t shy away from expressing himself. In one of his wedding photos, the singer even donned a dress and heels for a sultry photoshoot. With these pictures, it’s clear to fans that McLean is comfortable in his own skin.
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McLean’s love for dressing up extended way beyond his personal life. In 2022, he signed up as a contestant in “RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race.” Under his drag queen name, Poppy Love, McLean was crowned the winner of the season. And because of his win, a huge donation was sent to Trans Lifeline, a non-profit organization and crisis hotline for transgenders.
Is AJ McLean Gay?
No, AJ McLean is not gay but he considers himself very “gay-friendly.” He is very outspoken about his support for the community and has written several songs celebrating equality and gay marriage. But based on his dating history and current marriage, it’s likely that McLean identifies as straight. The singer has never been romantically linked to other men.