QUESTION: How does it feel to have Backstreet Boys finally be a huge success in the
United States?
A.J. I'd say it's a big dream come true! We never really got a chance to be here. For the last year
and a half, we've been over in Europe. Now we're finally bringing it home. I think it's worth our
worth our while. It's "the bone," as we say.
Q: Are you surprised by the worldwide success of the group?
A.J.: Shocked, shocked! I'm more or less shocked at how quick things are moving than I am at
what's happening. The fact that things are going so quickly is what's blowing my mind. The fast pace
of success - it's like, I'm only 20! Slow down and give me a little time to have a life. I never went to
my prom. I never went to high school, I mean, I had to get tutored. I have my ring. I graduated, but
I graduated in my hotel room.
Q: Did you really?
A.J.: Yeah, I still got to fly back home and graduate with my class. And it was funny because my
last name is McLean, so I was supposed to be in the middle, but because I wasn't there for the
actual [rehearsal] they put me last. All my friends are like, 'Be careful of this one step. Don't trip.'
And what do I do? I trip accepting my award!
Q: Were you embarassed?
A.J.: Nothing really embarasses me. I'm pretty groofy.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting back in the recording studio and creating new
Backstreet Boys music?
A.J.: Yeah, performing live is more fun, but in a studio is the more creativ side. You can do
anything and everything you want in ther - create your songs, create your sound to be the
Backstreet Boys sound. Especially if the five of us learn more about this stuff and coordinate
together to make our own sounf comfortable for us. Then, we'll step apart from all the other groups
and we'll sound unique. So, hopefully within the next year [that will happen]. Actually, for our next
album Brian wrote a song and the five of us produced it. It's our first time doing one Backstreet
Boys style.
Q: Before you joined Backstreet Boys you did some acting. Is there any chance you'd
Q: What would be your dream acting job?
A.J.: To do a movie with either Geena Davis or Dustin and be a bad guy. I would love to be the
Q: As a Backstreet Boys, you've done so much. Where do you see yourself five years from
A.J.: Still making music. I think at that level five years from now, jeez, we might split up or do our
Q: What do you think it is about Backstreet Boys that the fans so special?
A.J.: We're real. That's what makes us special, being real. We have nothing to hide.
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consider doing an acting project?
business just covers all terrain. you always have to have something to fall back on.
villian. I mean, the good guy wins, but the villians are the ones everyone likes.
now?
own thing. There is a solo artist within each one of us. Not right now, but down the road. Like
Howie with the Latin market or Nick with the alternative, but the group Backstreet Boys will never
break up. We'll always be a group, doing different things at different times. Maybe two or three of
us will be working together.
The Private lives of the Backstreet boys
In the final part of our intimate BSB series AJ Mclean
talks to Allison Lower about life as the Backstreet Boys
ladies man..
So AJ you've got this reputation as being a bit of a laydees man. Is it true, then?
Well, without being egotistical, yes I think it is! My parents divorced when I was young and I was
raised by my mother and grandmother, so I always had this real respect for women. I'm totally
comfortable around girls and I think that benefits me in the long run. I'm a very laid back kinda guy,
and I'm very upfront and blunt. I don't try to hide anything and I think girls like that.
Are you naturally flirtatious?
OH definitely, and everyone knows it! whenever we're asked who the biggest flirt is, they all just
scream and point at me! But it's true, I'm not ganna deny it!
But do you fin it difficult to have a relationship?
Yeah, it's really hard, which is why I'm still walking around single now! I think girls find it hard to
latch into me, but of course, you know who I really want to met...(Aj's talking about Gwen from
No Doubt, who he wont stop going on about, bless im'!)
Do you think it's easy for a girl to trust you?
Not really, but I do think it takes a whole lot of time and patience to get to know the real, normal
me, and only then would they really know what I'm like and that I am, in fact, trustworthy. But it's
definitely not easy.
So Mr Stud-muffin, when was the last time a girl turned you down?
You know, I don't think I've ever been turned down! Maybe it's because I cant stop if a girl's going
to be interested in me, so wouldn't bother asking her if I didn't think she was. I like real bad girls,
the once who seem to have all the attitude, but when you pull them aside you find they're really shy,
sweet girls and they just put on this bad girl act. I like that.
Do you think you've got more sexy since you're been in the band?
I guess you're ganna have to ask the fans that one! I know I've matured and everyone keeps telling
me I've got taller and I'm like 'Great, I don't want to get any taller I want to get fatter!'
Have you ever felt totally out of control when you've been in love with someone?
Yeah, I've gone totally overboard and lost girlfriends by being too overprotective and jealous.
I'm very serious when I'm in a relationship and try to make it as perfect as I can and the girl as
happy as possible, and sometimes I think they feel I'm too pushy. I just try to be as romantic and
nice as I can and sometimes I think girls don't like it.
Do you think there's just one girl for you?
Definitely, but I haven't found her yet. It's like people say , everyone's got a twin somewhere. I
believe there's a perfect love match for every one - you've just gotta find that person!
Do you judge girl by the way they look?
No, personality is what matters. It's how they act and the fact that they're not full of themselves that
attracts me more then looks.
You're pretty mature for your age - do you ever go for older women?
Well, yeah actually, but I don't do it deliberately. Sometimes I'll just click with someone and I find
out they're, like, 25. then they ask me how old I am and I'm like (coughing), '19.' but most of the
time I say 'Guess' and they usually say about 22 so I go . 'Yeah, OK then, I'm 22.' Actually I got
caught out recently because I was talking to this girl and admitted to being 22 or 23, but her friend
was talking to another band member who mentioned how old I really was. but I played it off as the
innocent boy saying, 'But I didn't think you'd like me if you thought I was 19.' And I got away with
it!
Ever fallen for a friend?
Yeah, but I knew it was a really bad move as I didn't want to lose a valuable friendship, so I was ,
like, 'Look, I've got feeling for you stronger then just friends, but I don't want to jeopardise what
we've got.' And it was cool.
How would you react to a 'kiss and tell' story?
If it was good I'd think it was funny, but if it was horrible I'd go back to the source and ask them,
'Why?' I'm quite luck it hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it will.
So none of you're private life's got out, then?
The nearest I've come to it was when an ex-girlfriend got herself into the Internet and was printing
pictures of us together when we were younger and stuff. So I called her and asked her why she was
doing it and she said it was because nobody believed her, and I was like 'well why do you need to
prove a point, you and I know what happened, why do you need to tell the whole world?'
How far would you go to win someone?
As far as I had to. If I really set my sights on someone then I'll go to any lengths to get to them. Like
Gwen Stefani, for example...
What is your biggest charm?
My eyes and my personality. Everyone goes on about my eyelashes and how long they are - and
girls really seem to like them!
How do you know you're in love?
It's that unmistakable gut feeling. It's like you say 'Good night, I love you' to your girl for months,
then one day you say it and it hits you - you really mean it, and it blows you away...
OK, own up then - what do you think you've got to offer as a boyfriend?
just myself. I'm a very spontaneous, open - minded individual. I'm a very caring person and a real
worry wart. I'm always concerned about people and I'm a bit like a big teddy bear. I'd never hurt
anybody's feelings, and when I'm with a girl I'm totally devoted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More coming soon!! YahooChat: A.J. is here! Let the chat begin!
A.J.: What's up to all our friends and fans in the chatroom right now
with me! Thanks for all of your support and we appreciate it, I mean
it. Please ask me anything you want, and I do mean anything! And
also sorry for being late guys!
BSBgrrl18 asks: How is your US tour going?
A.J.: So far so good. We've been on tour now for about three weeks
. A lot of sold out shows so far. We are in Houston right now and we
have a sold out show here tonight. I think our most prestigious show
so far has been Radio City in New York. It has been a phenomenal
tour so far. This is our first arena tour. We've been selling out, and it's
been great. Perfect.
Sweet_girl_for_u99 asks: A.J. i love your tattoos. Do they have any
meanings to them?
A.J.: Let's see. Currently I have five of them. They all have a meaning
to me. I'm not quite done with them yet. The one on my left forearm
is a comedy mask which represents comedy and tragedy because I
grew up doing theater which is my first love. Right above that is
the statement "Laugh Now". Right above that on my left shoulder
is my name written in tribal. On my back left shoulder is a dragon,
since I was born in the year of the dragon. On my right shoulder is
my nickname written in a cross. We have a show coming up in LA
on the 8th, and I want to get a panda bear on my right forearm.
Reason being is because in my eyes it combines a non-racist
image, black and white together, in a uniform symbol. That's all I
have so far!
FrickLuva asks: Do you believe in love at first sight?
A.J.: Actually I do. I really do. I've met someone who, it's like, you
meet them and you have that connection and that vive. There is a
strong possibility of that. It's all about the chemistry. I believe.
RokPower asks: What do you order at McDonalds?
A.J.: I order a double quarter pounder with cheese value meal.
Number four usually. With a large coke, no ice, and a large fries.
HereTitlePlace asks: What's the best thing about being a Backstreet Boy?
A.J.: I would say the best thing about being a BSB is the
opportunity at hand. The opportunity to travel the world. Meet
the people we've met. Just do the things we've all dreamed of
doing since we were young toddlers. There are so many things
that are positive about being where we are. Some of the down
sides are being away from family, not getting home cooked meals,
stuff like that.
Millaco asks: When you first started out did you think you would
become this successful?
A.J.: You are always hopeful. But you never know. There's
not much that you really know. It's just something you can hope
for and you give it your best shot. You just have a strong belief
that if you do what you've been blessed with to do, and if the
fans respond well, then yeah, it can blossom into something great.
And so far, it's been great!
Two_yummy_girls asks: A.J...are you still close to the friends
you had before you became famous??
A.J.: Some. Not as many as I'd like to be.
Danielle_14_98 asks: What is your favorite song to sing?
A.J.: Ummm, probably, live, "Hey Mr. DJ" and "That's The Way
I Like It". Because they're the most hype songs.
We_LOVE_u_BSB asks: Who would be your first choice to do
a duet with?
A.J.: Either Celine Dion or Mariah Carey. My second choice
would probably be Aliyah.
Go_Backstreet asks: AJ, When and why did you first start wearing
your trademark goggles and glasses?
A.J.: Since 1993. It was just something that I wore in our first
video that we ever recorded for "We Got It Going On". Our stylist
said pop these sunglasses on. Our management said why don't
you keep on wearing them, different styles, etc. It then just
became my trademark, and now I don't really go anywhere
without them. Sometimes I even sleep in them.
Rosa5_112681 asks: how do feel when u think about girls
obsessing over u?
A.J.: I don't know. It's kind of , it's definitely flattering, but it's a little
weird. I don't really understand why yet. I wish for five minutes
I could get inside a fan's head to see what causes that hysteria or
that obsession, you know?
Lokahi_CA asks: AJ- it has been said you are a great fan of musica
theatre, which is your favorite?
A.J.: Phantom of the Opera. Has to be my favorite. And it's the only
show on Broadway that I've never seen. I'd love to see it.
Kaoschild9 asks: If you could have any other job besides music
what would it be?
A.J.: Dancing. Or acting. I don't really know anything else. This
is my life. This is all I know basically.
ThatGirl83 asks: if you were a spice girl what would your spice
name be?
A.J.: Probably Freaky Spice.
B_rok__98 asks: Are you really a big flirt?
A.J.: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Sweet_D_Girl_1 asks: Since you travel all over the world, do you
collect anything from all the different places?
A.J.: Sometimes I get postcards or other things. But not
a whole lot of souvenirs really. Howie gets more souvenirs
than me.
BSboysfan123 asks: What is your favorite cartoon character?
A.J.: I have so many! I love cartoons. I can't even think off the top
of my head that I like the most. Now I'm into Ren and Stimpy,
and all the really gross, nasty, freaky stuff.
Taurus2nd asks: Do you guys surf the internet often?
A.J.: Nick does. I know Howie does. Some of our band members
do. I just got my lap top. I haven't actually gotten connected yet.
I haven't logged on yet. I've done it at other people's houses and
at my mom's place. It's so funny, cause when you do it, you spend
an hour and a half proving it's you. And these girls ask really
complicated questions. And then some of these girls, won't give
me their phone numbers and sometimes they do. And I'll sometimes
sing onto their answering machines.
BSB_Pride_4ever asks: Aj-What is the most important thing in
the world to you?
A.J.: My mom, and then secondly my career, meaning my life.
My family, my grandparents, and then my career.
Belle_hi asks: Have you ever kissed a fan?
A.J.: Where? You have to be more specific. I've kissed many
fans on the cheek and in passing, but I've never kissed, kissed
a fan.
Hamlin81 asks: who is the biggest comedian of the group?
A.J.: Probably a cross between Brian and Nick. Their whole
personalities, the things they say and the things they do.
Kevin being the most serious because he's the oldest. Howie
being the mediator, and me being a complete lunatic basically.
Sugear98 asks: Who are your favorite current artists?
A.J.: Hmmm. Eric Benet. Maxwell. Brian McKnight. Jamiroquai.
Prodigy. And BSB! Groups and people like that.
Skittles13_98 asks: are any of you virgins?
A.J.: I'm not. I'm pretty sure Kevin isn't. He's 27 years old. Myself,
Kevin, Howie and Brian are not. I'm pretty sure Nick is not, but
you never know.
Jeynne asks: Why do you change your hair style so often?
A.J.: You know I don't know myself. I have to change constantly.
I don't like staying the same. Just when people get used to me
one way, I have to change to get the m interested in what I'm
going to do next. Right now it's bright red. Who know's what it'll be
on the next tour. Probably orange or blue.
Luvbsb11 asks: What is the next music video you are going to
shoot??
A.J.: We just finished shooting "I'll Never Break Your Heart" in
Los Angeles. That's going to be the next video. Actually I just
found out this morning that it got added to MTV in full rotation.
We recorded it with a director named Billy Woodruff. He's done
groups like Next, Chico Debarge. He's done incredible work,
and he made our video look kick-butt.
SomeGirl53 asks: What's the name of the new album?
A.J.: We're looking at releasing the album March-ish.
We'll be in the studio for about two months after the tour recording.
And there will be stuff hopefully written and produced by us on
there.
Jennesa asks: who were your musical idols
A.J.: Gee, like Jodeci, Boyz to Men, Shy, all your doo-wop
harmony groups. Individually we have a large variety, but
group-wise those are the groups.
Sandra7584 asks: aj how is your day going today?
A.J.: Pretty stressful. Pretty hectic today. We have a day off in
Kansas City in two days. I'm trying to arrange a trip to NY for
that day. And then we do a lot of press. We just did a shoot
for US magazine. We have a meet and greet to do today. And
then we have a four hour bus ride after the show today to Dallas.
Hitz584 asks: If you could have a date with any famous person
in the world who would it be?
A.J.: Right now it would probably be either Jennifer Love Hewitt,
or Aliyah. There's one more, but I don't know her name, maybe
you can help me out. The girl that was the bad guy's girlfriend in
the movie Face Off. She is absolutely gorgeous.
Bbfrack asks: who is the most romantic of the group and why?
A.J.: I think, geez, probably myself, I've been told. Just because I
don't do big, huge glorious things for a girl right off the bat. I like
to do the simple things. Like if a girl likes Reeces peanut butter
cups, I leave it with her at work, with a note saying I love You.
Another girl I'd like to date, but she's busy right now is Gwen
Stefani (lead singer of No Doubt).
DEV_LUV_BROK asks: who is the biggest slacker of the 5 of ya'll?
A.J.: Slacker? Don't know if you'd call it slacker, but the most late,
last person downstairs or something, would probably be Howie or
Kevin. I'm always first. Always. I might look like hell, but I'm always
there first.
AJsFunkyGirl asks: CAN YOU COOK?
A.J.: Yes I can. I cook Italian, Mexican. I can cook a little bit of
Chinese, but not a whole lot. I haven't gotten my wok yet. I need
to get one to make my stirfry at home.
Bballfan6 asks: whos your best friend out of your goup?
A.J.: Hmmm. It kind of varies weekly or daily. But maybe Howie,
I've known him the longest, for ten years.
Uthinkubigtime asks: Are you wearing boxers or briefs?
A.J.: Ahh, really, ummm, neither right this minute! Cause it's so damn
hot over here. But generally, boxers.
Dawni_b asks: Do you guys ever write poetry???
A.J.: I do. I've been writing since I was about ten. And I still write
on occasion now which is how I get the inspirations for the songs
I write.
WAgirl__98 asks: Where is your favorite place to perform?
A.J.: Now, my favorite place has been Radio City because it's
probably the most prestigious place we've performed. It's also been
the smallest and most intimate, but also the most prestigious. Just
being there you can feel the presence of all the other artists that
have been their, the Rat Pack, the singers, all the award shows
that have been there.
PinayFSA asks: How did you guys like VJing for a day on MTV?
A.J.: Pretty cool. Since I've watched MTV since I was a kid,
I've always wanted to be a VJ, not permanently, but a guest
appearance every so often. I'm just a ham, I love being on
camera somehow. I'm just a ham!
I_LOVE_MRCool asks: What do you think is your best body
part,A.J. and why?
A.J.: Hmmm. LOL! A dangerous question. I've been told my eyes.
And I've been told by many fans, "Dammit would you take off your
glasses so we can see your eyes!" I have long eyelashes, which
are a little feminine for me, but people like them. I would cut them off
, but if it works....
Decs6 asks: A.J.------DYE YOUR HAIR BLONDE !!!!!!! YOU LOOK
SO HOT WITH BLONDE HAIR!!!!!!
A.J.: I'm considering going back to it. I went to red, but I'm
considering going back to it, maybe, over the next couple of days.
Maybe, maybe not!
Decs6 asks: WILL YOU ASK NICK IF HE'LL MARRY ME???
A.J.: Yes I will. I'll ask Nick, but Nicks not around me now, but I'll ask
, me. And if Nick says no, then I'll say yes!
Pureas_silk asks: Do you want to star in movie in the future?
A.J.: Heck yeah! Definitely. But I want to be a bad guy. Everyone
likes the good guy, that's a given. But everyone likes the bad guy
if he's a good actor!
Econoline_Crush_Girl__ asks: Are you guys going for a different
sound on your next album? What can we expect?
A.J.: I think a little more R&B. A little more adult. A little bit more adult
comtemporary. Stuff like that. Basically a growth period for us.
Danielle___1998 asks: Have u ever skinny dipped b4? When?
A.J.: Yup. I often do it at my house now. It's just me living there with
my roommate.
Pam_n_Jen asks: What is one thing that you can't stand about being
famous?
A.J.: Time. Basically not having enough time to do much. And not
having much of a personal life any more. Just talked to my
roommate last night. She said there's girls coming to the house every
day now. Everyone in the community knows it's me. You don't
even have privacy at your own home. It's kind of weird. But I love
the attention, I really do.
Razzleberry21 asks: Do you have any pet peeves?
A.J.: I hate people who are liars, that's the first thing. People that
can't look you in the eye when they talk to you drive me nuts.
Or people that are figidty drive me nuts. People that sit there
and start tapping on a table with a pen, that drives me crazy.
Giovana_ asks: Do you have any pets?
A.J.: I did. I had two dogs, one being a tea cup chihuahua,
and the other one a German Shepard. The chihuahua died five
days after I got it. And then I gave the Shepard back to the family
I got it from because I didn't have time to take care of it.
Ga_Bu_Powa asks: If you had three wishes, what would you wish
for?
A.J.: Longevity and success, that's one. To be able to take care
of my family for the rest of my life. So they were comfortable and
set. And to be happily married with a family and to be a wonderful
father some day.
A.J.: Thank you to everyone that was in this room with me
today. Hopefully I'll talk to you when I log on. And I will do whatever
it takes to prove that it's me whether it means to call you, write you
, or maybe you'll believe right off the bat. Thanks you guys for being
so supportive and being there for us, and hopefully being there for
us in the future. Without you guys and girls there would be no BSB,
so thank you very much!