AJ McLean and his wife Rochelle McLean have called it quits after nearly a year of separation.
On Monday, January 1, the Backstreet Boys singer, 45, announced the split via Instagram, simply captioning the post with a crying emoji.
“As you all know, we have been separated for over a year now,” the accompanying statement read. “While we hoped for reconciliation, we have decided to end our marriage officially.” We have made this decision with great love and respect.”
“Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest possible way with friendship and coparenting our girls at the forefront of this next chapter,” both AJ and Rochelle, 42, wrote in the message. We appreciate your kindness respect and privacy at this time.”
On Monday, Rochelle made the same statement on her Instagram account, adding a black heart emoji in the caption.
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The former couple began dating in March 2009, and after 10 months, AJ proposed during a trip to Las Vegas. In December 2011, the couple married in a gothic-themed wedding ceremony in Beverly Hills.
Elliott and Lyric were born to AJ and Rochelle in 2012 and 2017, respectively.
After 11 years of marriage, AJ and Rochelle had a rough patch in March 2023. “Marriage is difficult, but it is worthwhile.” “We have mutually decided to separate temporarily in order to work on ourselves and our marriage in order to build a stronger future,” the couple said in a joint statement to Us weekly.
The twosome stated at the time that their goal was “to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another, and our family,” adding, “We ask for respect and privacy at this time.” Separation is difficult enough without the commentary; please be considerate and keep in mind that there are children involved.”
Despite their divorce, AJ remained close to Rochelle as they raised their children. “We are still living apart, but we are in couples therapy.” We are undergoing individual therapy. Every day, we talk. “We’re spending more time together,” he explained on an episode of Cheryl Burke’s “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast from November 2023. “We just have to rebuild something that was never there from the beginning.”
AJ admitted that both he and Rochelle faced personal challenges at the start of their relationship, noting that his battle with substance abuse had a negative impact on their relationship. (Last fall, he celebrated two years of sobriety.)
“I brought baggage, she brought baggage.” I had trauma, and she had trauma. I wasn’t even sober. He went on, “she was dealing with her own s-t.” “It was just a constant tug of war.” She’d sweep her feelings under the rug, and I’d either do the same or dive into a bottle. This time apart has allowed us to do some serious growing, understanding, and listening.”