AJ McLean’s marriage had been crumbling for months prior to his separation announcement, multiple sources tell Page Six exclusively.
“They were living apart since at least January,” one insider reveals of the Backstreet Boys member and his now-estranged wife, Rochelle McLean.
“AJ left their marital home,” the insider adds.
A second source, meanwhile, tells us the couple’s split “was a long time coming” and that “there is more to the story.”
AJ’s reps did not respond to Page Six’s repeated requests for comment.
The McLeans released a joint statement Monday to share the news that they had “temporarily” parted ways after 11 years of marriage.
“Marriage is hard but worth it. We have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on ourselves and on our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future,” AJ, 45, and Rochelle, 41, said.
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“The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another and our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time.”
The “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” singer and the hairstylist also asked that fans “be kind and remember there are children involved.”
They share two daughters: 10-year-old Elliott, formerly known as Ava, and 6-year-old Lyric.
AJ and Rochelle, who married in December 2011, have endured their fair share of ups and downs over the years.
The Grammy nominee has struggled with drug abuse and alcoholism for over two decades, even describing himself a “chronic relapser” at one point. He celebrated one year of sobriety in September 2022.
“AJ is kind of the celebrity who was living the rock-star lifestyle, and Alex got stuffed down,” he admitted to the “Today” show at the time, using his real name.
“But now I’ve come to a place where they can both coexist.”
