Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, estranged wife Rochelle divorcing after year-long separation

Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean has made a major decision one year after separating from his wife of 11 years.

A.J. McLean has announced he and estranged wife Rochelle Deanna Karidis are going ahead with their divorce. Picture: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

AJ McLean announced that he and his estranged wife, Rochelle, are divorcing after being separated for “over a year now.”

The Backstreet Boys member made the stunning announcement on New Year’s Day, telling fans that they’ve decided to call it quits after “hoping for reconciliation.”

“It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision,” their joint statement read, as per Page Six.

“Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest possible way with friendship and co-parenting our girls at the forefront of this next chapter.”

A.J. McLean has announced he and estranged wife Rochelle Deanna Karidis are going ahead with their divorce. Picture: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

The former couple concluded their message by thanking their fans for respect and privacy.

Although the Quit Playing Games With My Heart crooner, 45, now confirmed that he and Rochelle, 42, have been apart for more than a year, McLean only announced their separation after 11 years of marriage in March 2023.

“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,” they said in a statement at the time.

The couple had hoped to reconcile after spending one year separated. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

“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.”

However, multiple sources close to the pop star later told Page Six that McLean and Rochelle had been separated for months prior.

“They were living apart since at least January,” one insider revealed. “AJ left their marital home.”

The Backstreet Boys (left to right): Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and AJ McLean in 2019. Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

A second source, meanwhile, told Page Six the duo’s break-up “was a long time coming” and that “there is more to the story.”

Rochelle and McLean share two daughters: 11-year-old Elliott and 6-year-old Lyric.

Elliott used to go by the name Ava but decided to change it, which left the Larger Than Life singer “taken aback.”

“When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliott, initially, I didn’t know if it was a transgender thing, which it is not, but it is a personal choice,” the singer said of his older daughter in an interview with Today.

“She’s still Ava, but at the same time, whatever reasoning it is, that’s hers, and I’m going to support it a million per cent. My wife will [too].”

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, estranged wife Rochelle divorcing after year-long separation