Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean announces ‘temporary’ split from wife after 18 years together
Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean has announced he is separating from his wife "temporarily" after 18 years together.
AJ McLean, 45, revealed he is splitting from his wife and mother of his daughters after being married for more than a decade. The couple, who tied the knot in 2011, had been together for 18 years and share two daughters, Ava, 10, and Lyric, 6.
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However, the separation is only temporary until the pair manage to work things out again, the singer explained.
AJ said: "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."
He continued: "The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another, and our family."
The pop star added in a statement to TMZ: "Separation is hard enough without the commentary, please be kind and remember there are children involved."
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AJ proposed to Rochelle Deanna Karidis while he was celebrating his 32nd birthday in a Las Vegas nightclub back in 2010.
He had met the model and makeup artist/hairstylist in October 2001, and the two began dating in 2006.
The couple got married on December 17, 2011, at the Beverly Hills Hotel with the rest of the Backstreet Boys in attendance.
He has previously spoken about how Rochelle had been his "rock" as they faced hard times together.
The Dancing with the Stars alum explained that she was his "superhero" adding to Us Magazine: "She has been through hell and back with me.
"If there was an award for everything that she does on the daily, she deserves them all. The greatest reward that I get from her on the daily is just a constant affirmation of love.
"She’s always there for me, it doesn’t matter what it is. She’s very supportive. She’s a great listener.
“We have amazing conversations — sometimes until the wee hours of the morning."
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