The Backstreet Boys singer and his estranged wife vow to focus on 'moving forward in the healthiest possible way with friendship and coparenting' their two daughters.
- January 2, 2024
AceShowbiz - A.J. McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean have called it quits after 12 years of marriage. The Backstreet Boys singer and his estranged wife announced that they have "decided to officially end" their marriage after being separated for one year.
On Monday, January 1, the 45-year-old singer and 42-year-old Rochelle issued a joint statement about their official breakup on both of their Instagram accounts. Over a black screen, they wrote, "As you all know we have been separated for over a year now. While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage."
A.J. and Rocehelle went on to say, "It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision." They further shared, "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."
The unfortunate news came more than nine months after A.J. and Rochelle revealed that they "mutually decided to separate temporarily." Speaking to TMZ in March, the two stated, "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."
Though so, the "I Want It That Way" hitmaker and the mother of two assured, "The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another and our family." They added, "We ask for respect and privacy at this time."
Around one month later, it was reported that A.J. and Rochelle separated due to "trust issues." An insider spilled to PEOPLE in April, "She initiated the split. There were some trust issues." The insider additionally unveiled, "Close friends don't see them getting back together, though AJ really thinks they will."
A.J., who took some time away from social media to "focus more on my family, my friends and life in general" in 2019, met Rochelle for the first time back in 2001. They were in a romantic relationship for six years before tying the knot in 2011. The two share two daughters, Ana and Lyric, together.
