Alexander James Mc Lean

Life is always full of surprises when you're hanging out with Backstreet Boys' full-of-fun A.J. McLean!

Which Backstreet Boy is most likely to appear on stage dressed like Jim Carrey in Batman Forever? Which group member is most likely to quote poetry to a girl or to serenade her under her window? Which adorable Backstreet Boy is most likely to dye his hair purple? If you've guessed A.J. McLean for all of the above, you've definitely got a handle on the group's Mr. Personality!

A.J. just can't help his high spirits. Born Alexander James McLean on January 9, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida, he's always been a total cut-up cracking up schoolmates, family and even strangers with his offbeat humor and willingness to try anything. "I'm a big ham and I gotta be out there and doing crazy stuff for no apparent reason, especially on stage," he says.

This dynamic performer found the bright lights of show business very early in life. He's been singing since the tender age of six when he stole the show during his very first theatrical production playing 'Dopey' in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Later on, A.J. appeared in more traditional musicals such as The Nutcracker, The King And I and Fiddler On The Roof. in fact by the time he was 12, he had appeared in 27 classic plays! A.J.'s a triple threat-in addition to singing and acting, he was a serious dance student learning everything from jazz to ballet to hip-hop. It's a talent he still puts to great use during Backstreet Boys' energetic live performances!

In junior high, A.J. won a part in Nickelodeon's series Welcome Freshmen which began his ongoing relationship with both Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. It was during one of his auditions for the former that he met up with Howie D. and Nick, lacing together the roots of the group that was to become Backstreet Boys.

Life with BSB has been extremely exciting for A.J. though he admits that the extent of their fame can still startle him sometimes. "It kind of gets to you a little bit. The crowds have gotten bigger and crazier [this year]" he says. "You don't want to be mean - you just want to walk away a little. Whenever you want to go out to a club or to the movies, it's just a little bit more difficult. Now, it's at the point where you can go out dancing, but just be prepared to sign autographs on the dance floor."

Backstreet Boys' Kevin confides that A.J. has a hard time knowing when to stop signing autographs or posing for pictures. "Sometimes A.J. just can't say no, because he doesn't want to upset anyone," Kevin says. "He makes too many promises." That's because A.J. can't bear to let anyone leave disappointed!

A.J. admits that he's the most girl crazy member of the group. "If you want the biggest flirt, that's me," he says. "I do flirt and I like girls - I'm not going to say I don't." Still, the outpouring of love he receives from Backstreet Boys' fans makes him want to pinch himself sometimes to make sure that it's not all a dream. "I keep thinking, I'm just out of high school. I'm just a regular guy, why are you crying? Why weren't the girls crying over me in high school?" he says. "I wish it had happened then!"

A.J.'s not just any random Romeo, though. "I'm the type of guy who likes to be there 24-7," he says. "I'm Mr. Roses. I'll sing outside your window. I'm as old-fashioned as they come."

A.J. credits his mom Denise with teaching him how to treat girls nice. "Even though I'm a flirt and I'll talk to girls a lot, if I were to pick one girl, I'd try to give her as much time and respect as I could,". he says. "My parents got divorced when I was about four, so I was raised in a feminine household and I was raised to respect women."

What is it about a certain girl that will inspire A.J. to write sweet nothings? "I like their eyes," he says echoing the sentiments of fellow BSB Brian. "Honestly. I know that most guys would not agree with me, but the first thing that I look at is eyes. I have to look into her eyes because if I could look deep past those eyes it's like, 'Wow!... he says. "And I like long hair. Short hair is just as nice, but I like long hair. I don't care if they are fat, skinny, tall, short."

When A.J. isn't flirting or rehearsing with the group, he can usually be found talking to somebody, anybody. You see, A.J. has made storytelling an art form! "A.J. is Mr. Talkative," says Brian. "He's always on the phone to his family in Florida. I'd hate to see his phone bill. He'll chat to anyone and tell you stories all day long, whether they're true or not. Sometimes, after a gig, I want to be quiet and rest, but he's like, 'Let me tell you what happened!' And I'm like, 'Listen, I was there, I saw it!...

"I talk on the phone like it's a part of me. I guarantee I'm going to be buried with a phone next to my head!" confesses A.J. "I'm not really into sports. The only sport I'm into-if you consider it a sport-is billiards. I'm like, really good at pool. I'm trying to be into basketball. On a scale of one to 10, I'm like an eight. And I'm getting better. I also like to draw, write poetry and listen to music."

Musically gifted with a beautiful bass voice, A.J.'s tastes complement the R&B/pop sound of Backstreet Boys. "I'd say I'm more geared toward strictly R&B, Motown, doo wop music. I listen to a lot of R&B artists, like Peabo Bryson, who Kevin actually got me to listen to, and Stevie Wonder and the Temptations. In terms of gospel, I like the Commissioned, Take 6, Boyz 11 Men, Shai."

After conquering the music charts in Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, Backstreet Boys have finally come home to the United States. For his part, A.J. finds this homecoming very gratifying and a little bit scary. "You really don't know what to expect," says A.J. "Even though this is home for us, it's still a new territory and you don't know what the reaction will be." He need not worry. We're sure that American music lovers will follow suit and A.J. will have a whole new country of girls to serenade!

In The Beginning - A.J. McLean

Originally Published September 1997