Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean announces divorce from wife Rochelle DeAnna after one year of separation

AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys seems all set to make a new start in 2024. Nearly a year after announcing separation from his wife Rochelle, the singer shared the news of their divorce on Monday, January 1. The former couple issued a joint statement announcing their divorce on social media. 

AJ McLean, Rochelle DeAnna part ways

In an official statement, AJ and Rochelle said, “As you all know we have been separated for over a year now. While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage.” 

The couple further went on to emphasise the love between them. They added, “It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision. 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. We appreciate your kindness respect and privacy at this time.”

AJ McLean-Rochelle DeAnna's tumultuous relationship

AJ and Rochelle McLean announced in March 2023 that they were "temporarily" separating to concentrate on themselves.  The couple maintained their close relationship while raising their kids despite their breakup. 

On an episode of Cheryl Burke's podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, from November 2023, AJ clarified, “We still live separately, but we are in couples therapy. We are in individual therapy. We talk every day. We are spending more time together. We just have to rebuild something that was never there from the beginning.”

AJ acknowledged that at the start of their romance, he and Rochelle had to deal with personal struggles, and he mentioned that his struggle with substance abuse harmed their relationship. 

The couple got married in December 2011 after two years of courtship that began in 2009. In November 2012, they welcomed Elliott, their first daughter. In March 2017, Lyric, their second child, was born.