Why are AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna divorcing? 'Backstreet Boys' singer plans to remain 'friends' with his estranged wife after split
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Backstreet Boys' singer AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna announced their divorce after 12 years together. However, the couple planned to remain friends and co-parent their kids after their split.
McLean and Rochelle temporarily split to focus on themselves and resolve their marriage woes. The estranged couple was hoping for reconciliation but they have decided to officially end their marriage for the better.
The 'Backstreet Boys' singer and Rochelle took to social media and announced their divorce, "As you all know we have been separated for over a year now." They added, "While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage."
The couple further noted, "It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision." However, McLean and Rochelle would focus on "moving forward in the healthiest way possible with friendship and co-parenting our girls at the forefront of this next chapter."
They concluded their separation announcement noting, "We appreciate your kindness, respect, and privacy at this time."
AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna live separately after announcing 'temporary' split
AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna 'mutually' decided to 'temporarily' split in March 2023. McLean reflected on his 'temporary' split and noted that he lives separately.
After he was eliminated in 'DWTS' Season 32, McLean appeared on the iHeartMedia podcast 'Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans' hosted by his former pro partner Cheryl Burke.
During the podcast, McLean shared, "We still live separately but we are in couples therapy, we’re in individual therapy." Notably, McLean revealed that he and Rochelle have seen immense growth in their relationship.
He added, "We talk every day, we are spending more time together. We just have to rebuild something that was never there from the beginning."
How did AJ McLean and his wife Rochelle DeAnna meet?
AJ McLean met Rochelle DeAnna for the first time in 2008 when she was a makeup artist and hairstylist in Los Angeles. The singer asked out for the first while Rochelle worked as a waitress at Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood.
Rochelle rejected McLean's date proposal at first but she later said yes after one year as the singer asked her out again. He popped the question to Rochelle in January 2010.
However, McLean and Rochelle exchanged vows after two years of dating in an intimate goth-themed evening ceremony, which took place under a clear tent on the Crystal Lawn at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
How many kids do AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna have?
AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna share two kids, Elliott, and Lyric. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Elliott McLean, on November 27, 2012, just a year after they got hitched.
McLean and Rochelle's elder daughter had changed her name from Eva to Elliott. Previously, McLean's ex-wife Rochelle reflected on Elliot's favorite dancer, tWitch.
Meanwhile, the couple welcomed their second daughter Lyric McLean on March 19, 2017, in Los Angeles. The couple has planned to co-parent their daughters after their divorce.
McLean and Rochelle recently attended a screening of 'Trolls: Band Together' with their daughters Elliott and Lyric.
