NEW YORK (AP) -- A.J.
McLean of the Backstreet Boys has entered rehabilitation for
depression and alcohol abuse, forcing the group to postpone the rest
of its U.S. and Canadian tour dates.
The other four members of the boy band -- Kevin Richardson, Howie
Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell -- announced the news Monday
on MTV's Total Request Live.
All four were choked up discussing the troubles of their 23-year-old
bandmate, as were teenage members of the live studio audience.
"When you're trying to help someone who has a serious illness,
they have to help themselves first before they can really receive
help. They've gotta really want it," Littrell said.
"He came to us yesterday for the first time. I heard him say,
'Guys, I have a problem and I need to get help.' We figured this was
the best for him. It's all about him being healthy."
Canadian tour dates postponed include: July 13 in Ottawa; July 26 in
Montreal; July 27, 28 and 29 in Toronto; Aug. 2 and 3 in Calgary; Aug.
4 in Edmonton; and Aug. 7 in Vancouver.
Richardson said McLean, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla., would enter
rehab for 30 days for "depression, anxiety and his excessive
consumption of alcohol." It's unknown where he'll receive
treatment.
"We didn't want to lie about it, we didn't want to push it under
the rug," Richardson said. "We want to be honest with our
fans. He's getting help. He's going to be better."
Earlier Monday, the Backstreet Boys announced they were postponing
remaining sold-out concerts at Boston's FleetCenter this week after
Carter, 21, injured his hands on Saturday.
Black and Blue, the latest album from the Grammy-nominated group, has
sold eight million copies since it came out in November.