Who Is AJ McLean’s Estranged Wife? All About Rochelle DeAnna McLean

AJ McClean and Rochelle Deanna McLean (née Karidis) are going their separate ways.

After the Backstreet Boys singer and former makeup artist announced they were “temporarily” separating in March 2023, “with the hope of building a stronger future,” they revealed their decision to “officially end their marriage” in January 2024 after 12 years together year.

AJ and Rochelle shared personal news on their Instagram accounts. Their joint statement read: “As you all know, we have been separated for over a year. Although we hoped for a reconciliation, we decided to officially end our marriage. It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision.”

They continued: “Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest way possible with the friendship and co-parenting of our girls at the forefront of this next chapter. We appreciate your kindness, respect and privacy at this time.”

The couple first met in 2008 when she was a waitress at a restaurant in Los Angeles. According to AJ, who was born Alexander James McLean, Rochelle didn’t know who he was and they started dating the following year. Fast forward to January 2010, he proposed after a solo show in Las Vegas, and they married in December 2011.

Today, AJ and Rochelle are parents to their daughters, Elliott and Lyric, who they proudly post about often on Instagram.

So who is AJ McLean’s estranged wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Rochelle DeAnna McLean and her relationship with the singer.

She was a make-up artist and hairdresser

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean at an event on May 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Polk/WireImage

Rochelle was a professional makeup artist and hairstylist. In May 2022, she shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she “went to two trade schools and now carry my trades with me for the rest of my life. The best decision I ever made for myself.”

She’s shared more photos of herself at work on Instagram, including tutorials on makeup looks like contouring and behind-the-scenes projects.

They met in 2008

AJ McLean and Rochelle Deanna McLean arrive at the Point Foundation’s Annual “Voices On Point” Fundraiser Gala on September 13, 2014 in Century City, California.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

The paths of AJ and Rochelle first crossed in 2008 when she was working as a waitress in a restaurant in LA. However, they did not fall in love right away and went on their first date a year later.

“She claims she didn’t know who I was,” McLean told PEOPLE in 2020. “I’m like, ‘Have you been living under a rock?’ ”

In March 2021, Rochelle shared a throwback photo of them walking side by side on Instagram.

“We went on our first date 12 years ago. This is not a photo from that night. But this is my first encounter with the paparazzi not long after haha ​​​​😆,” she wrote. “All I can say is that you love a lot, follow your heart and fight for what you believe in 🖤.”

They got married in 2011

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean at the premiere of “Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” on January 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

Allen Berezovsky/Getty

AJ and Rochelle were married on December 17, 2011 in a gothic ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel. They exchanged vows under a gazebo decorated with white hydrangeas as family and friends looked on.

The couple got engaged last year when the singer proposed on his 32nd birthday after a solo concert in Las Vegas, according to Hey! News.

Ahead of their nuptials, AJ told PEOPLE that he was a “groomzilla” while involved in the wedding planning. “I’m practical,” he said.

AJ and Rochelle have two children

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean with their children Elliot McLean and Lyrica McLean at a special screening of ‘Trolls: Band Together’ on November 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

John Salangsang/Shutterstock

The couple has two daughters: Elliott, born in 2012, and Lyric, born in 2017.

Elliott was named Ava at birth and changed her name in 2021. The following year, Rochelle spoke out about her daughter’s decision.

“For those asking…not that it’s anyone’s business, but Elliott’s name change is not a gender thing,” she wrote on Instagram. “She wanted something unique that no one else had (There are so many Ava’s). I really didn’t see the harm in respecting her desire to be unique.”

When it comes to their interests, Elliott and Lyric are dancers and Rochelle loves to share photos from their dance competitions and recitals on social media.

AJ also spends time with her kids and posts about their adventures, including the “Daddy Daughter Dance.” On Instagram, which has since been deleted, he wrote: “These are memories I never want to forget and moments I don’t want to miss.”

As for parenting, he said Party tonight 2019, “Becoming a father changes everything. Some people go the other way — they grow up first and then have children. But I dove in headfirst and I love being a dad.”

They announced they were separating in March 2023 before officially ending their marriage in January

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean arrive at the Grammy Awards: Friends ‘N’ Family party on February 8, 2013 in Hollywood, California.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Shortly after their 11th wedding anniversary in March 2023, the couple said they had separated and were living separately.

“Marriage is hard, but worth it,” they said in a joint statement. “We have decided to temporarily separate to work on ourselves and our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future.”

In April of that year, a source told PEOPLE, “She initiated the split. There were trust issues. Close friends don’t see them getting back together, even though AJ really thinks they will.”

AJ shared the news about their relationship during an interview on Cheryl Burke’s Sex, lies and spray tanning podcast that November. He revealed that they took time to work on themselves individually.

“We’re still living apart, but we’re in couple’s therapy, we’re in individual therapy,” he said. “We talk every day, spend more time together. We just have to rebuild something that never existed from the beginning.”

On New Year’s Day 2024, the couple announced their decision to “officially” end their marriage.

She continues to support his singing career

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean at the “Backstreet Boys Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” Premiere on January 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Rochelle has supported AJ’s career with the Backstreet Boys and played a role in the band’s exciting plans for 2025.

“I can’t say what, but I wish I could take all the credit for it. It was actually my wife’s idea, and I planted the seed with my boys for seven years and they finally agreed,” he told PEOPLE in 2023.

“So 2025 is going to be big for the Backstreet Boys. Very big,” AJ added.

She appeared in his music videos

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Amazing Spiderman” on June 28, 2012 in Westwood, California.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Rochelle starred in the music video for AJ’s solo song “Boy and a Man” in 2019, in which the two remarried. Earlier that year, she also appeared in the Backstreet Boys’ visual for “No Place”.

AJ said ET, “She’s not thrilled to be in the movie, but she’s a trooper and she’s doing it for me,” he said. “I love her. She calls herself my personal video vixen.”

She’s a Swiftie

AJ McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean at the ‘Fifty Shades of Black’ premiere on January 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

Rochelle is a Taylor Swift fan, often posting about the singer and her work, including when she released her album Reputation in 2017.

“[Elliott], Lyric and I can’t get enough. The soundtrack of our day today. We are so obsessed,” she wrote on Instagram.

Rochelle also revealed that she and Elliott attended the Reputation Tour and shared a picture of her daughter posing next to Swift. “Take us back @taylorswift 🖤,” she wrote.

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Source: HIS Education