Aj's bio

Alexander James McLean, known to the world as AJ, was born in West Palm Beach, Florida on January 9th, 1978 at 7:31am. He was raised by his mother, Denise and his grandparents, his father left him shortly after he turned two. He took up performing at the young age of six, when he starred in a school production of Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs, he played Dopey. He then when on to do 12 plays, before the age of 11. In 1991, he landed a lead role in the Nickelodeon sitcom, Hi Honey, I'm Home! playing a character named Skunk. The television show ended up being a bust, and lasted for only one season. At the age of 13, he graduated from Denn John Middle School. Around that time, the young AJ tried out for Star Search, a show that made people like Britney Spears famous later on. He failed to even get a callback, and hopes for the young and daring teenager began to fall. Then, AJ became very excited when he saw an ad in the paper for an upcoming Latin festival. Since his grandfather had a Latin influence, he went to the audition. After going to the tryout, AJ learned that the first place winner would receive $1000 and that did the trick. The producer was amazed to hear such a booming voice come out of a 13 year old and hired him on the spot. So, AJ performed a 45 minute one-man show and that he did. He showcased all of his talents, from singing to dancing and for the grand finale of the puppet show. One of the people who kept running into AJ was a young man named Tony Donetti... and that's where it all started.


In March 1992, there was an ad in the paper seeking men between the ages of 12-18 for a vocal group. Of course, Alex said he agreed. By April, Alex McLean had become the first Backstreet Boy and signed a contract for Lou Pearlman, creator of Backstreet Boys. Nick Carter and Howie Dorough (whose stage name was Tony Donetti for a while) were the next members of BSB. Soon there were three more members added, Damon, Burk and Sam. Damon became angry when he was told he could not perform in the first show that Backstreet landed. A day later, Damon quit. Then more problems began when Burk's mother had some issues with Lou and there had been some terrible shouting matches between the two. Burk was gone. Next came a young man named Charles, but he didn't last much longer than the others. He was having a difficult time staying on key with the other boys. It was a sad day when Charles was let go. Next came Sam, he got mad when the group could not sing a song that he had written and quit.


Next, came Kevin. When they heard his voice, they knew it was a perfect fit for the group and hired him on the spot. Now the Backstreet Boys consisted of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Alex McLean and Kevin Richardson. Lou felt the group needed one more member to add more harmony to the group. Kevin explained that he had a cousin, also from Kentucky, who was a typical "boy next door." He had sung in his church before and sung mostly gospel music. On May 16, 1993, the boys waited at the Orlando Airport for Brian to get off his plane. So the Backstreet Boys got their first gig at Seaworld in Orlando.


The Backstreet Boys moved on to be a household name all over the world and by 2003, they've had a decade together winning Grammy's and having countless fans all over the world. They've released six albums total, Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys(Europe, Germany only, etc), Backstreet's Back, Millennium, Black and Blue and Chapter One: The Greatest Hits. Despite the fame and fortune, AJ McLean dived into a deep depression. His best friend became a bottle of Jack Daniels and he smoked pot, and much more. There was nothing anybody could do. Finally, Kevin knocked some sense into him and started screaming at him, he even knocked down his door and AJ finally realized... he needed help.


In July of 2001, AJ checked himself into rehab in Arizona. AJ now leads a good life and has been sober for 3 year. He plans to continue sobriety and make a solo album. He relapsed and started all over again and is now sober since 4 years. His anniversary is Oct. 23.