In a joint announcement shared on Instagram, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, 45, and his estranged wife Rochelle have officially confirmed the end of their marriage after a year of separation. The couple expressed gratitude for the support received during this challenging period and acknowledged their efforts towards reconciliation. However, they have ultimately decided to move forward separately.
“We have been separated for over a year now. 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,” the couple stated.
Their primary focus moving forward is on ensuring a healthy transition into their new chapter, emphasizing friendship and co-parenting for their two daughters, Elliott (born in 2012) and Lyric (born in 2017).
AJ and Rochelle, who tied the knot in 2011, announced their separation in March 2023 after 12 years together. The couple highlighted their commitment to maintaining a positive and healthy co-parenting dynamic, expressing appreciation for ongoing support.
This marks the first celebrity divorce announcement of the year. In a previous statement released in March, the couple had shared insights into their separation, emphasizing the challenges of marriage and the mutual decision to temporarily separate for self-improvement.
“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. 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. Separation is hard enough without the commentary; please be kind and remember there are children involved.”
In addition to navigating the divorce, AJ McLean disclosed his journey towards sobriety. Completing two years of sobriety, he shared in an interview with People that he’s doing well, acknowledging the daily commitment to maintaining his sobriety.
