AJ McLean

AJ McLean is a singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer recognized as a founding member of the Backstreet Boys, a prominent pop vocal group. McLean became the first official member of the group at age 14, joining Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell to form the Backstreet Boys. The group achieved significant commercial success, selling over 100 million records worldwide and earning a reputation as the best-selling boy band of all time. Their achievements include numerous music awards and global recognition in the pop music industry.

McLean contributed extensively to the Backstreet Boys' discography, participating in the release of albums such as "Millennium" and "Black & Blue." "Millennium" sold 34 million copies worldwide, and the group produced hit songs including "I Want It That Way" and "As Long as You Love Me." The group released the album "DNA" and launched the "Into the Millennium" residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, which included 21 concert dates. In addition to his work with the band, McLean has pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as "Have It All" and "Long Road."

Beyond music, McLean has developed a career in acting and television. He began acting at age eight and appeared in productions including "Welcome Freshmen," "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," and "This Is the End." McLean hosted the Netflix reality competition series "Building the Band," which featured contestants forming vocal groups without initial face-to-face interaction. He also serves as host and executive producer of "The Fashion Hero: A New Kind of Beautiful," a reality lifestyle competition focused on challenging conventional beauty standards. McLean competed on "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race," winning the season finale and securing a $100,000 award for Trans Lifeline.

McLean has been open about his personal challenges, including a 20-year struggle with addiction and his commitment to sobriety. He has discussed his mental health journey, including a 10-week retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he reflected on his identity beyond his stage persona. McLean is an advocate for mental health awareness and frequently shares his experiences with sobriety and wellness.

As a solo artist, McLean continues to explore new creative projects. He appeared on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" to discuss the Backstreet Boys' Sphere residency and his solo releases, including the EP "Hi, My Name Is Alex" and the LP "Hi, My Name Is Alexander James." He also announced a joint tour with Joey Fatone of NSYNC. With a career spanning music, television, and advocacy, McLean maintains a significant presence in the entertainment industry.