Whether it’s shimmying to Christina Aguilera’s “Show Me How You Burlesque” or channeling Dolly Parton while performing “9 to 5,” Aj McLean says competing on RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race has been one of the most “liberating” experiences of his life — and even prompted him to undergo cosmetic surgery. The 44-year-old Backstreet Boy veteran was recently revealed as the celebrity behind “Poppy Love” on the VH1 show, and his latest performance — doing Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” — landed him a spot in Friday’s grand finale. While it’s hardly the first time the musician has defied gender expectations with his style he says the competition brought him an even deeper level of satisfaction. “It was so ...
- 9/30/2022
- TV Insider
Image Source: VH1
Poppy Love, aka Aj McLean, has made it to the season two finale of "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race," and win or lose, he's undoubtably left his mark on the show. Week in and week out, viewers witnessed McLean work tirelessly to bring magic to the stage as Ms. Love, from his Lady Gaga-inspired "Born This Way" performance to his out-of-this-world "The Boy Is Mine" duet with Morgan McMichaels.
McLean tells Popsugar it's an "honor" and a "privilege" to have made it this far in the competition. "I could have been bounced after episode one, and I still would've had the f*cking best time of my life. This experience changed me for the better," he says. "The number one thing that I took from this show is to love the body that I'm in. And it's been absolute heaven."
"The number one thing that I...
Poppy Love, aka Aj McLean, has made it to the season two finale of "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race," and win or lose, he's undoubtably left his mark on the show. Week in and week out, viewers witnessed McLean work tirelessly to bring magic to the stage as Ms. Love, from his Lady Gaga-inspired "Born This Way" performance to his out-of-this-world "The Boy Is Mine" duet with Morgan McMichaels.
McLean tells Popsugar it's an "honor" and a "privilege" to have made it this far in the competition. "I could have been bounced after episode one, and I still would've had the f*cking best time of my life. This experience changed me for the better," he says. "The number one thing that I took from this show is to love the body that I'm in. And it's been absolute heaven."
"The number one thing that I...
- 9/30/2022
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
Aj McLean‘s hard work is paying off! The 44-year-old Backstreet Boys singer is ditching his dad bod and showing off a fit physique in new side-by-side transformation photos.
“Thought I’d do a little throwback Thursday vibes,” McLean posted. “Found the pic on the left from a year ago on vacation and wow it’s amazing what a little dedication and setting goals can do for a person. The journey is far from over though. This is just the beginning! #healthylifestyle #sober #nomoredadbod! Let’s go! If I can do it so can you!!”
McLean has said that he became sober in December of 2019 and will celebrate three years of sobriety this year.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aj McLean (@aj_mclean)
In an interview with Et in March of 2019, McLean hinted that embarking on a journey of health was at the forefront of his...
“Thought I’d do a little throwback Thursday vibes,” McLean posted. “Found the pic on the left from a year ago on vacation and wow it’s amazing what a little dedication and setting goals can do for a person. The journey is far from over though. This is just the beginning! #healthylifestyle #sober #nomoredadbod! Let’s go! If I can do it so can you!!”
McLean has said that he became sober in December of 2019 and will celebrate three years of sobriety this year.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aj McLean (@aj_mclean)
In an interview with Et in March of 2019, McLean hinted that embarking on a journey of health was at the forefront of his...
- 9/2/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Aj McLean‘s daughter is making her own way in the world, looking for a more “unique” name than the one she was given at birth.
In an Instagram story post on Wednesday, McLean’s wife, Rochelle Karidis, addresses the couple’s 9-year-old daughter and why she requested to have her name changed from “Ava” to “Elliot.”
“For those asking… not that it’s anyone’s business,” she begins, “but Elliot’s name change is not a gender thing. ‘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.)”
Rochelle continues: “I didn’t really see the harm in respecting her desire to be unique. Come to think of it, it’s a little odd that as parents...
In an Instagram story post on Wednesday, McLean’s wife, Rochelle Karidis, addresses the couple’s 9-year-old daughter and why she requested to have her name changed from “Ava” to “Elliot.”
“For those asking… not that it’s anyone’s business,” she begins, “but Elliot’s name change is not a gender thing. ‘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.)”
Rochelle continues: “I didn’t really see the harm in respecting her desire to be unique. Come to think of it, it’s a little odd that as parents...
- 8/25/2022
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
The Backstreet Boys first burst onto the scene in 1995 when they released their first single, "We've Got It Goin' On." Since then, we've seen them have a Disney channel original concert, hang out with fellow pop stars, perform with famous supermodels, and basically take over the world (remember when they traveled around the world in 100 hours to promote their Black & Blue album?). These days, the "boys" are now men and they all have adorable families of their own. Brian Littrell and his wife, Leighanne Wallace, are parents to son Baylee, 13; Kevin Richardson and his wife, Kristin Willits, are parents to sons Mason, 9, and Maxwell, 3; Howie Dorough and his wife, Leigh Boniello, are parents to sons James, 7, and Holden, 3; Aj McLean and his wife, Rochelle Deanna Karidis, are parents to daughter Ava, 3; and Nick Carter and his wife, Lauren Kitt, are parents to son Odin, whom they welcomed in April 2016. Together,...
- 7/13/2016
- by Caitlin Hacker
- Popsugar.com
She doesn't care who he is, where he's from, what he did, as long as he loves her. Aj McLean admitted in a new interview with TooFab that his status as a Backstreet Boy wasn't necessarily an advantage in wooing his wife, Rochelle Deanna Karidis. In fact, Karidis used to support the group's biggest competition. "My wife [was a] bigger 'N Sync fan than Backstreet fan," McLean, 37, dished in a joint interview with 'N Sync's Joey Fatone at Comic-Con, where they were promoting Bsb alum Nick [...]...
- 7/10/2015
- Us Weekly
What had Et readers buzzing this week?
1. Charges Filed Against Lindsay Lohan
California prosecutors have officially filed charges against Lindsay Lohan.
The charges, which include willfully resisting, obstructing, or delaying an officer in the course of their duties, supplying false information to a police officer and reckless driving, stem from the car accident Lohan was involved in last June when she crashed her Porsche into the back of a dump truck on the Pacific Coast Highway.
All three charges are misdemeanors, and no court date has been set at this time.
The accident in June occurred when she was on her way to the set of Liz & Dick. According to The Los Angeles Times, Santa Monica prosecutors had been weighing charges against Lohan for weeks after police said they found evidence she lied when she claimed she was not behind the wheel of her Porsche.
The charges come just hours after Lohan was arrested early Thursday morning...
1. Charges Filed Against Lindsay Lohan
California prosecutors have officially filed charges against Lindsay Lohan.
The charges, which include willfully resisting, obstructing, or delaying an officer in the course of their duties, supplying false information to a police officer and reckless driving, stem from the car accident Lohan was involved in last June when she crashed her Porsche into the back of a dump truck on the Pacific Coast Highway.
All three charges are misdemeanors, and no court date has been set at this time.
The accident in June occurred when she was on her way to the set of Liz & Dick. According to The Los Angeles Times, Santa Monica prosecutors had been weighing charges against Lohan for weeks after police said they found evidence she lied when she claimed she was not behind the wheel of her Porsche.
The charges come just hours after Lohan was arrested early Thursday morning...
- 12/1/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
A.J. McLean has become a dad. The Backstreet Boys singer and his wife Rochelle Karidis welcomed daughter Ava Jaymes into the world on Tuesday (27.11.12) and the whole family are doing well. A.J. told In Touch magazine: 'We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava into the world.' The singer recently revealed how excited he is about his first Christmas as a father. He told Bang Showbiz: 'Me about to be a father is going to be the best Christmas memory I think I'm ever going to have. We're due any day now and we're so ready for it. 'I'll probably be changing diapers all over Christmas and I cannot wait. We'll be here in Los Angeles,...
- 11/28/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Backstreet Boys singer Aj McLean is a dad! He and his wife, Rochelle Deanna Karidis, welcomed their first child, Ava Jaymes, on Tuesday (Nov. 27).
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," McLean tells In Touch.
Ava was born at 4:51 a.m. in Los Angeles and weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
McLean and his makeup artist wife married in December 2011 and announced they were expecting in April.
"Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you -- for the first time -- something very special. We're having a baby!" McLean said then in a YouTube video to fans.
The singer made another video on Sunday to let his fans know that baby Ava had yet to make her entrance into the world, saying she was being "stubborn just like her dad."...
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," McLean tells In Touch.
Ava was born at 4:51 a.m. in Los Angeles and weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
McLean and his makeup artist wife married in December 2011 and announced they were expecting in April.
"Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you -- for the first time -- something very special. We're having a baby!" McLean said then in a YouTube video to fans.
The singer made another video on Sunday to let his fans know that baby Ava had yet to make her entrance into the world, saying she was being "stubborn just like her dad."...
- 11/27/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Congrats go out to A.J. McLean!
The Backstreet Boys singer and his wife, Rochelle Deanna Karidis, have welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Ava Jaymes, In Touch reports.
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," McLean tells the magazine.
The healthy baby girl was born in Los Angeles, Calif., at 4:51 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
Four months after tying the knot in December, McLean and makeup artist Karidis shared their exciting baby news via YouTube.
"I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support," McLean says in the video. "Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you –- for the first time –- something very special. We’re having a baby!”
And the couple announced even bigger news this summer on Twitter, revealing the gender and name of their baby-to-be...
The Backstreet Boys singer and his wife, Rochelle Deanna Karidis, have welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Ava Jaymes, In Touch reports.
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," McLean tells the magazine.
The healthy baby girl was born in Los Angeles, Calif., at 4:51 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
Four months after tying the knot in December, McLean and makeup artist Karidis shared their exciting baby news via YouTube.
"I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support," McLean says in the video. "Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you –- for the first time –- something very special. We’re having a baby!”
And the couple announced even bigger news this summer on Twitter, revealing the gender and name of their baby-to-be...
- 11/27/2012
- by Leigh Blickley
- Huffington Post
Backstreet Boy Aj McLean and wife, makeup artist Rochelle Deanna Karidis, had their first child together on Tuesday, In Touch reports.
Pics: Celebs & Their Cute Kids
According to the news source, the couple welcomed a baby girl named Ava Jaymes.
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," said the singer, 34.
Ava was born weighing 7 lbs. and 7 oz., according to In Touch.
Video: A.J. McLean & Wife Expecting a Baby
Aj and Rochelle made their pregnancy announcement just four months after their Beverly Hills wedding.
Aj announced the baby's gender and name via Twitter in July.
Pics: Celebs & Their Cute Kids
According to the news source, the couple welcomed a baby girl named Ava Jaymes.
"We are all doing well and are thrilled to welcome Ava to the world," said the singer, 34.
Ava was born weighing 7 lbs. and 7 oz., according to In Touch.
Video: A.J. McLean & Wife Expecting a Baby
Aj and Rochelle made their pregnancy announcement just four months after their Beverly Hills wedding.
Aj announced the baby's gender and name via Twitter in July.
- 11/27/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
The Backstreet Boy brood is getting bigger! Band member A.J. McLean and his wife Rochelle Karidis welcomed a baby girl, Ava Jaymes McLean, Tuesday, Nov. 27, he announced on his website. "Rochelle and I are thrilled to officially announce the birth of our baby monkee, Ava Jaymes McLean," the crooner shared. "She arrived at 4:51 am on Nov. 27 weighing 7 pounds and 7 ounces. We are so in love with our bundle of joy and happy to have started our family now." McLean, 34, proposed to his longtime [...]...
- 11/27/2012
- Us Weekly
Backstreet Boys star Howie Dorough is having another baby boy. The singer - already a father to three-year-old son James Hoke - has announced he and his wife Leigh will welcome a second boy into the world early next year. Howie - who celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday (23.08.12) - tweeted on Monday (21.08.12): 'Thanks to family, friends & fans for all the amazing birthday wishes. This year I'm receiving the best gift from my wife: another baby boy! 'I know it's not until Wed, but I already feel like I am having an incredible bday with the baby boy news and all of the amazing bday wishes! (sic)' Howie's bandmate Aj McLean recently announced his wife, Rochelle Karidis, was...
- 8/23/2012
- Monsters and Critics
A.J. McLean sure likes sitting on his stoop and announcing big news to his fans. Or in this case, on his couch. The Backstreet Boy announced happy news Tuesday that he and wife Rochelle Karidis are having a baby girl! The couple first announced in April that they were expecting for the first time.
| Related: Exclusive: Kevin Richardson headed back to Bsb |
| Related: Picture This: A.J. McLean in drag photoshoot |
"It's a girl!" his wife of eight months revealed. The couple even has a name picked out already! "Yay we're having a baby girl!!!!!" A.J. added. "Little baby Ava Jaymes."
What an adorable name!
To make the moment even more memorable, A.J. uploaded yet again one of his infamous videos for his fans to watch. While sitting on a couch, he and Rochelle revealed they were having a girl by holding up a pink card. Did you catch that epic...
| Related: Exclusive: Kevin Richardson headed back to Bsb |
| Related: Picture This: A.J. McLean in drag photoshoot |
"It's a girl!" his wife of eight months revealed. The couple even has a name picked out already! "Yay we're having a baby girl!!!!!" A.J. added. "Little baby Ava Jaymes."
What an adorable name!
To make the moment even more memorable, A.J. uploaded yet again one of his infamous videos for his fans to watch. While sitting on a couch, he and Rochelle revealed they were having a girl by holding up a pink card. Did you catch that epic...
- 7/5/2012
- by Stephanie Webber
- Celebsology
Backstreet Boys star Aj McLean is expecting a baby girl with his wife. The boy band member announced via his twitter page on Tuesday (03.07.12) that his spouse of eight months, Rochelle Karidis, will be having a daughter. He wrote: ''Baby announcement coming soon!'' He later revealed to his hundreds of thousands of followers: ''Yay we're having a baby girl!!!!! Little baby Ava Jaymes.'' The 34-year-old singer also posted a video message to his fans on SocialCam. He said: ''Thank you guys for all of your love and support. This will be the first Backstreet girl.'' Aj's band mates Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and...
- 7/5/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Backstreet Boys star Aj McLean is expecting a baby girl with his wife. The boy band member announced via his twitter page on Tuesday (03.07.12) that his spouse of eight months, Rochelle Karidis, will be having a daughter. He wrote: 'Baby announcement coming soon!' He later revealed to his hundreds of thousands of followers: 'Yay we're having a baby girl!!!!! Little baby Ava Jaymes.' The 34-year-old singer also posted a video message to his fans on SocialCam. He said: 'Thank you guys for all of your love and support. This will be the first Backstreet girl.' Aj's band mates Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough are all fathers of baby boys. He originally announced they were expecting a...
- 7/5/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Backstreet's back, alright -- original group member Kevin Richardson is returning to his boys!The Backstreet Boys made the official announcement during their concert with the New Kids on the Block in London's O2 Arena over the weekend. Nick Carter told the excited crowd that the group was set to record a new album in July, and Brian Littrell brought the house down when he added, "And Kevin is coming back!" The eldest member of the group at 40, Richardson left Bsb in 2006 to pursue "other opportunities," though he had returned to perform select shows with his bandmates over the years.This isn't the only happy news for the group today -- member A.J. McLean just announced that he and his wife Rochelle Karidis are expecting a baby!Are you excited for Kevin's return? Let us know in the comments below! Read more...
- 4/30/2012
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
It looks like Backstreet Boy, A.J. McLean, is going to be singing lullabies in a few months! The singer and his wife, Rochelle Karidis, announce they are expecting their first child. Former boy band star, A.J. McLean and his wife Rochelle Karidis shared some exciting news with their fans via YouTube on April 29 -- they're expecting a baby! "I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support . . . Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you -- for the first time -- something very special. We're having a baby!" A.J. gushed to the camera while Rochelle sat by his side. A.J., 34, proposed to Rochelle, 34, in January 2010 during a live concert in Las Vegas. The couple tied the knot in December of 2011 at the Beverly Hills hotel. "You are my whole world and I cannot wait to spend my life with you,...
- 4/30/2012
- by HL Staff
- HollywoodLife
A.J. McLean and wife Rochelle DeAnna Karidis have a little one on the way!
The Backstreet boy and his wife announced that they are expecting their first child on YouTube on Sunday.
"I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support. We recently got married -- I was the most recent Backstreet Boy to take the plunge," the 34-year-old newlywed, with his wife by his side, said.
"Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you - for the first time -something very special. We're having a baby!" ...
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Backstreet boy and his wife announced that they are expecting their first child on YouTube on Sunday.
"I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support. We recently got married -- I was the most recent Backstreet Boy to take the plunge," the 34-year-old newlywed, with his wife by his side, said.
"Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you - for the first time -something very special. We're having a baby!" ...
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 4/30/2012
- by nobody@accesshollywood.com (AccessHollywood.com Editorial Staff)
- Access Hollywood
There's a little Backstreet Boy or Girl on the way for A.J. McLean!The 34-year-old singer and his wife of seven months, Rochelle Karidis, are expecting their first child together.McLean announced the news himself over the weekend with a personal YouTube message to his fans. "We wanted to share with you for the first time something very special, we're having a baby," the excited couple proclaimed in the video.McLean is the fourth Backstreet Boy member to have kids. Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson all have sons too.Congrats to the happy couple! Read more...
- 4/30/2012
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
A.J. McLean is to become a father for the first time. The BackStreet Boys star's wife Rochelle Karidis is pregnant with the couple's first child and the singer says he can't wait to meet the new arrival to their family. A.J. announced the news at the band's concert with New Kids On The Block at London's The O2 arena on Sunday night (29.04.12) by showing the back of his T-shirt which had 'Daddy to be' written in glitter. He then told the audience: ''Another backstreet baby, I've got a feeling it's going to be a girl. My wife is out there, I love...
- 4/30/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
A.J. McLean is to become a father for the first time. The BackStreet Boys star's wife Rochelle Karidis is pregnant with the couple's first child and the singer says he can't wait to meet the new arrival to their family. A.J. announced the news at the band's concert with New Kids On The Block at London's The O2 arena on Sunday night (29.04.12) by showing the back of his T-shirt which had 'Daddy to be' written in glitter. He then told the audience: 'Another backstreet baby, I've got a feeling it's going to be a girl. My wife is out there, I love you. I'm going to be a dad, what more can I say. I love you all.' The...
- 4/30/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Backstreets back, all right, but with a baby on board! A.J. McLean, 34, and wife Rochelle Deanna Karidis announced via Youtube earlier today that they are expecting their first child together. The couple wed in December 2011 in Beverly Hills. "I just wanted to say thank you guys for all your love and support. We recently got married—I was the most recent Backstreet Boy to take the plunge," the singer shares with his beautiful wife by his side. The couple then reveals their exciting news together with excitement and beaming smiles: "Because we love you all so much, we wanted to share with you — for the first time — something very special. We're having a...
- 4/30/2012
- E! Online
A.J. McLean admits he still relapses in his battle to stay sober. The Backstreet Boys hitmaker - who underwent his third stint in rehab last year to receive treatment for alcohol abuse - was pleased to avoid drinking when he married Rochelle Deanna Karidis last month because he always tries to put his new spouse's feelings first. He admitted: 'I relapse. I try to put Rochelle's feelings first. Is it really worth it to go out and get drunk and come home and deal with the repercussions? Now it's not. I'm not perfect, but I try every day to be sober and...
- 1/8/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
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