AJ McLean has requested the Backstreet Boys to make use of his actual title when he is not working.
AJ McLean is utilizing his actual title extra
The 48-year-old singer – who has been open about his struggles with substance abuse – realised after getting into a remedy programme in 2023 for “love and relationship habit” that he wanted to set new boundaries, which included separating himself from his pop persona, and a part of doing that was to insist his family members name him Alex James, somewhat than AJ.
He informed the New York Put up newspaper’s Web page Six column: “My sobriety was on lock, however I needed to dig just a little deeper and discover out what was on the root of my habit.
“[Being] AJ McLean from Backstreet had its perks…It additionally had it’s downfalls.
“And so occurring this little self-realisation second, I realized boundaries, one thing I by no means actually utilised in my life.
“AJ is a personality in a band and doesn’t outline who I’m. Alex obtained stifled for the final 40 years. The 2 entities, that are one, can coexist.
“I instantly arrange boundaries with my bandmates first, and my household, and stated, ‘Hey, like, once I’m not in work mode with you boys, name me Alex.’ “
“It took just a little adjusting… however it’s been such a, like, revelation to lastly be comfy in my very own pores and skin,” he stated.
The Constructing the Band host is launching a solo profession along with his new album Hello, My Title is Alexander James, and he admitted it has been “terrifying” to step out with out his bandmates, however he’s finally able to reclaim his identification.
He stated: “[It’s] terrifying at first as a result of, you recognize, you’re so used to having 4 shoulders to lean on, however you need to form of lean and lean into that uncomfortableness… you need to lean into the concern.
“I’m reintroducing myself as me, and the world is aware of me as AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys… I don’t count on that tag to not be hooked up to me this primary go round, however ultimately, I’d prefer to, you recognize, be capable to stand alone two toes.”
