AJ McLean revealed that his 12-year-old daughter, Elliott McLean, is definitely not a fan of the Backstreet Boys’ 1999 hit “I Want It That Way.”
“My oldest daughter hates that song, hates it with a passion,” AJ, 47, told People in an interview published on Tuesday, March 18.
Elliott has an understandable aversion to the classic boy band track: she’s been subject to frequent teasing from her classmates over the beloved millennial ballad.
“She gets teased at school when she walks into school,” he confirmed. “When I drop her off, the boys [sing the lyrics], ‘Tell me why,’ and she’s like, ‘Stop doing that’ … And then I start doing it to embarrass her because that’s what dads do!”
Overcoming obstacles. AJ McLean achieved fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys, but a fair share of challenges have come along with his worldwide success. In 1992, the “Larger than Life” performer auditioned for the boyband and became the first official member of BSB. He was later joined by Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin […]
Luckily for McLean, he discovered that Elliott does “secretly” love some Backstreet Boys songs — even if she won’t admit to it.
“We love [‘I Want It That Way’]. We love showing the meaning,” he added.
In 2022, AJ confirmed that his then-9-year-old daughter — whom he shares with former wife Rochelle McLean — asked to change her name from Ava to Elliott.
“For those asking, not that it’s anyone’s business, but Elliot’s name change is not a gender thing,” Rochelle, 43, later explained via her Instagram Story in August 2024. “‘Ava’ has changed her name quite a few times since she was about five. Last year she asked us to start calling her Elliot and it stuck. She wanted something unique that no one else had. (There are so many Ava’s.)”
AJ told People in September 2022 that he was fully supportive of his daughter’s name change simply because it made her happy.
“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,” he said at the time. “And it is her body, it’s her name, it’s her everything. And she’s still Ava. She’ll always be Ava to me.”
Backstreet Boys to family men! Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson have all become dads since they became boy band stars — and they love to share updates their little ones. Littrell was the first member of the band to become a father, welcoming son Baylee with wife Leighanne Littrell […]
The singer went on, “At the same time, whatever reasoning it is, that’s hers, and I’m going to support it a million percent, my wife will [too].”
AJ and Rochelle announced in a joint statement on New Year’s Day in 2024 that they were splitting after nearly 12 years of marriage. The couple confirmed a separation the previous year.
“As you all know we have been separated for over a year now,” the couple said. “While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage. It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision.”
Their statement continued, “Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest possible way with friendship and coparenting our girls at the forefront of this next chapter. We appreciate your kindness respect and privacy at this time.”
Joey Fatone revealed his kids have a thing or two to catch up on when it comes to his musical catalog. While chatting exclusively with Us Weekly about his back-to-school campaign with Great Clips, Fatone, 47, recalled the time he discovered his daughter Kloey, 14, was a secret Backstreet Boys fan. “We were at a […]
The McLeans met in 2001 and were together romantically beginning in 2009. In December 2011, the couple tied the knot at the Beverly Hills Hotel in a private ceremony attended by AJ’s Backstreet Boys bandmates. Daughters Elliott and Lyric arrived in 2012 and 207, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys have a busy few months ahead, with a slot at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on April 27 and launching their Into The Millennium concert residency at Sphere in Las Vegas starting July 11.
