Rochelle McLean and AJ McLean. Valerie Macon/Getty Photos
AJ McLean and estranged spouse Rochelle McLean are nonetheless shut and dealing on their relationship regardless of separating earlier this yr.
“We nonetheless dwell individually, however we’re in {couples} remedy. We’re in particular person remedy. We discuss daily. We’re spending extra time collectively,” AJ, 45, mentioned of his relationship with Rochelle, 42, on the Tuesday, November 7, episode of Cheryl Burke’s “Intercourse, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast. “We simply need to rebuild one thing that was by no means there from the start.”
The Backstreet Boys member acknowledged that each he and Rochelle — who wed in 2011 — had their very own respective points originally of their relationship. Whereas AJ didn’t touch upon his associate’s struggles, he famous that his battle with substance abuse affected him tremendously. (The singer not too long ago celebrated being two years sober.)
“I got here with baggage, she got here with baggage. She had trauma, I had trauma. I wasn’t sober and even able to get sober, she was coping with her personal s–t,” AJ defined. “It was only a fixed push-pull. She would sweep her emotions beneath the rug, I might do the identical factor or I’d dive right into a bottle. Now, it’s taken this time aside for us to actually do some critical rising and understanding and listening.”
AJ McLean and Rochelle McLean have at all times put their marriage first — even within the wake of their non permanent separation. Whereas the couple first met in 2008, their connection didn’t blossom till later. AJ requested out for the primary whereas Rochelle labored as a waitress at Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood. Whereas she rejected him […]
Amid his therapeutic journey with Rochelle, AJ shared that he has additionally improved his communication with the duo’s daughters, Elliot, 10, and Lyric, 6. AJ credit his household’s tight-knit bond to the acronym “luver” which stands for pay attention, perceive, weak, empathy, and reiterate.
Elliot McLean, AJ McLean, Lyric McLean, Rochelle DeAnna McLean, and Denise McLean, September 2023. Bennett Raglin/Getty Photos for Rookie USA
“Should you and I are having a dialog and also you’re telling me your emotions, I’m validating your emotions, I’m listening to your emotions and I’ve empathy as a result of usually I might twist it and make it about me. Not anymore,” he shared. “Luver is an effective way to speak not solely together with your associate, however simply individuals generally. Have empathy, hearken to them, [and] validate their emotions as a result of they’re their emotions.”
In March 2023, AJ and Rochelle introduced that they determined to briefly separate with the hopes of saving their relationship.
“Marriage is difficult however price it. Now we have mutually determined to separate briefly to work on ourselves, and on our marriage with the hope of constructing a stronger future,” the couple informed Us Weekly in a joint assertion on the time. “The plan is to come back again collectively and proceed to nurture our love for each other, and our household. We ask for respect and privateness presently. Separation is difficult sufficient with out the commentary, please be type and keep in mind there are kids concerned.”