Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean reveals marriage to wife Rochelle is OVER after one year separation: ‘With deep love and respect’

Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean has split for good from his 42-year-old wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean.

On Monday – New Year's Day – the 45-year-old crooner shared on Instagram that their separation will end in divorce in 2022.

“As you all know, we have been separated for over a year now,” read the statement.

'Although we hoped for reconciliation, we have decided to officially end our marriage.

“It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision.

“Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest way possible, with friendship and co-parenting for our girls at the forefront of this next chapter. We appreciate your kindness, respect and privacy at this time.”

The note was signed by both AJ and Rochelle.

The couple, who share two daughters, married in 2011 after dating for six years. They met in 2001.

In March 2023, he announced that they had split.

They said TMZ at the time when they had no plans to divorce, but wanted to 'work on themselves'.

“Marriage is hard, but worth it. “We have mutually decided to temporarily separate to work on ourselves and our marriage in hopes of building a stronger future,” he told the outlet.

“The plan is to get back together and continue to cherish our love for each other and our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time.'

“Divorce is hard enough without commentary, please be kind and remember there are children involved,” the statement concluded.

AJ and Rochelle, a makeup artist and hairstylist, met in October 2001.

The duo started dating in 2006, with the singer proposing to her on his birthday, January 9, 2010.

They married on December 17, 2011 at the Beverly Hills hotel in the presence of his Backstreet Boys bandmates.

Rochelle commemorated their 11th anniversary in December 2022 with a throwback photo of them, with lyrics from a Guns N' Roses song called November Rain.

“And when your fears subside/And there's still shadows, oh yeah/I know you can love me when there's no one left to blame/So never mind the darkness, we can still find a way/” Because nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain.”

She added #eleven in honor of their 11th wedding anniversary and a black heart and text emoji.

In October 2020, AJ spoke about his journey to sobriety after a two-decade addiction to drugs and alcohol.

He had just returned from a trip to Las Vegas.

'I've never been sober. Not for a second. And the turning point for me was when I got home, my wife could smell it on my breath and my younger of two daughters wouldn't sit with me,” he said. Good morning America.

Since then, AJ has maintained his sobriety and is working with a program and sponsor.

And he added: 'There's too much to live for today – my beautiful children, my wonderful wife, my career, my brothers. I have never felt more grounded than I do today.”

During the same interview, AJ revealed when his drug addiction started.

“The first time I tried drugs was literally an hour before my call time for The Call video shoot,” he recalls.

'I was off the wall' during the video shoot.

His drug addiction remained a secret for a while until his Backstreet Boys bandmates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough caught on.

'When the boys understood, I missed the rehearsal. They actually broke into my house, and they threw ice water on me while I was passed out in bed.”

'Everyone started to realize it. I wasn't myself anymore, you know, I was just living a lie,” AJ said.

He first entered rehab in July 2001 and re-entered in 2001. The star went for a third time in 2011.

In September 2022, AJ revealed that he was in the best shape of his life and also a year sober during an interview with Today.

The star revealed he has lost 32 pounds since he started his lifestyle change in February 2022.

AJ has been sober since September 27, 2022.

He eliminated alcohol and fast food from his diet and worked with a trainer.

AJ and Rochelle are parents to Ava, 11, and Lyric, seven. Ava decided to change her name to Elliott last year.

In September 2022, AJ opened up about the name change and revealed that she felt like her name wasn't unique. “When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliot, I didn't know at first if it was a transgender thing, which it isn't, but it's a personal choice,” he said during an appearance on the Today show, through Page six.

AJ, Nick, Brian, Kevin and Howie formed Backstreet Boys in 1993; last year they were on their DNA World Tour, in support of their 2019 album DNA.

The tour started in May 2019 with a two-year hiatus from March 2020 to April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.