AJ McLean Changing Name

While appearing on a recent episode of the podcast Frosted Tips with Lance Bass, Backstreet Boy AJ McLean shared that he wants to move on from his past and be called by a new name going forward. “AJ, I’ve now kind of learned is a persona, is a character if you will,” McLean said, while referring to that old version of himself as, “one-fifth of the Backstreet Boys.” McLean credits a 10-week stay at The Meadows, an intensive outpatient program, as providing him with “this little self journey.”

McLean also credited author Brené Brown for inspiring him, going as far as getting her mantra, “braving,” tattooed on his arm. “Which stands for boundaries, reliability, accountability, fault, integrity, non-judgment and gratitude,” he shared. “So Alexander James is me being my true, authentic self.” Alexander James McLean is currently on a co-headlining tour with former *NSYNC member Joey Fatone