The nuttiest Backstreet Boy is definitely AJ. Whether he's adding another tattoo to his already picturesque bodyscape or changing the color of his hair, AJ loves to stand out. He enjoys the attention he gets from fans well, most of the time, that is. He told USA Weekend that the worse part of being a Backstreet Boy is "when you're walking in the mall and they recognize you and scream. Then everyone comes and your whole shopping day is ruined." But he doesn't mind it that much after all, he doesn't really like to go unnoticed, either.
AJ does love the wild party life. When they guys are on tour, you can often find AJ pressing clubbing buddies Kevin and Howie to hit all the hot spots with him. And AJ is always looking for a new activity. Lately, he would really like to try out Swing dancing. As he mentioned in Teen Beat, "I really like Swing...I would love to take lessons...It looks like so much fun. I could wear suspenders." He's actually a big fan of the era and counts among his idols Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra, who, he told USA Weekend, "did everything right."
Although Howie is definitely Aj's bes friend (remember, aside from Brian and Kevin, who are cousins, Howie and AJ have known each other the longest!), he loves all the guys like family. "The five of us are like brothers and family," he has said on numerous occasions. "I don't think you'll ever see four Backstreet Boys or two Backstreet Boys. It will always be the five of us."
AJ was born Alexander James McLean in Palm Beach, Florida. His childhood was not as idyllic as the other guys', however. Wehn AJ was four, his parents split up, leaving his mother, Denise, to raise her young son single handedly when his father just about disappeared from his life. That is, until just revently, when his father contacted him. They talked for a while, but Aj is definintely proceeding with caution. "If he would do things in moderation, maybe we could get a father-son relationship back. But being so damn pushy, I just don't want to do it," AJ told Rolling Stone "He calls me every day. He drives me nuts. I don't really answer his phone calls." Certainly all of AJ's fans are hoping for the best and that he can work out his problems with his dad.
Another obstacle that threatened to stand in AJ's way is that, as a child, he had a speech imediment not the best starting block for an aspiring actor. But AJ has always been extremely driven which many people might not see behind his flamboyant facade. "I always pushed myself,"he told Rolling Stone. "To this day I take my crap seriously. If, God forbid, something happened to me where i couldn't perform, I would rather die, basically." AJ got over his speech problem and took to the stage. His frist role was as Dopey in a production of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, in chich he didn't have any lines but performed physical antics that kept the audience in stitches. This led to a span of twenty-seven plays between the ages of ten and twelve!
When he was twelve, AJ moved to Orlando with his mother to pursue his acting career. This woreked out great for him as he was able to find lots of work. He sang., danced, and acted his way though high school, landing roles in three Nickelodeon TV shows: Hi Honey...I'm Home, Welcome Freshman,and Fifteen. He auditouned for a role in The Mickey Mouse Club but didn't make it in, which was fine for him because this was about the same time that he hooked up with Howie and Nick and began performine with them. AJ felt there wree greener pastures to visit and he was absolutely right!
"Our shows are for the whole family," AJ explaind to USA Weekend, "younger sisters, older sisters, the cats, the dogs. We even had a dog chasing our bus. I said to Nick, 'Look, now we have animal fans! That's when you know you've made it.'" Jobsonline.com