Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean and wife Rochelle 'mutually decided to separate' after 11 years of marriage
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After a successful 11 years of marriage, Backstreet Boys crooner AJ McLean and his makeup artist-hairstylist wife Rochelle Deanna McLean have decided to part ways, but according to them the separation will be “temporary”.
"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,” the couple told an international news giant.
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They further said in the joint statement as noted by Page Six, “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.”
Talking about the painful break in their marriage, they said, “Separation is hard enough without the commentary,” before adding, “Please be kind and remember there are children involved,” reports TMZ.
Wading through the murky waters together
The McLeans have seen and gone through many difficult phases, with the fan-favorite singer's alcoholism and substance abuse being one of them. In 2018, the singer told Page Six, “Look, I have no shame in saying, I’ve relapsed over the past year. It’s no secret that this is a disease and that it’s a daily struggle," before accepting the undeniable support he has always received from family. “Are my kids and my wife a huge support, and a huge inspiration? Yes, a hundred percent." AJ had said. The singer had depression and anxiety in 2001, 2002, and 2011, for which he sought treatment.
Who is Rochelle?
Rochelle Deanna McLean is a makeup artist and hairstylist, who has also worked as a model. She married the Backstreet Boys crooner on December 17, 2011. The couple has two children -- Elliott, 10, and Lyric, six. Rochelle is a proud “mommy,” as described on her Instagram profile.
Raised in Santa Clarita, Rochelle “has worked as a stylist for several television shows including ‘Project Hollywood’ and ‘Nick's Big Show’,” reports Backstreet Boys Wiki. She also worked as a wardrobe assistant at Playmate Tiffany Fallon’s 2005 ‘Playboy Video Center: Playmate of the Year’. The mother of two also exhibited her makeup skills in the 2008 short films like ‘Population Suicide’ and ‘Family Jewels’.
Rochelle and the ‘DNA’ star met for the first time in October 2001 at Choreographer's Carnival. However, the couple’s love story was not love at first sight as they met again after five years when AJ proposed to her for the first time, only to get rebuffed because of his stardom.
After a bit of trying by the ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’ musician, Rochelle decided not to break his heart and started dating him in 2009. In 2011, the duo got married at a hotel in Beverly Hills and the wedding was attended by the other Backstreet Boys.
Rochelle is a regular on Instagram who had been giving sneak peeks of her domestic bliss before the news of their “temporary” separation surfaced. In 2021, she wished her husband on their anniversary. She wrote, "Our life and our love is unconventional, but I guess that’s why it works! I love you @aj_mclean Happy Anniversary✨."
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Only three months ago in December 2022, she again wished AJ on their anniversary with a longer post. She wrote, "And when your fears subside/And shadows still remain, oh yeah/I know that you can love me when there's no one left to blame/So never mind the darkness, we still can find a way/'Cause nothin' lasts forever, even cold November rain 🖤🎶 #eleven."
It now remains to be seen whether the much-loved couple can indeed find their way back after passing through the rough patches in their relationship.
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