AJ McLean would now like to go by Alex. The Backstreet Boys singer opened up about the name shift and explained what led to that decision in the latest episode of Bass began his conversation with McLean, as well as actor Brian Austin Green, by saying, “I hear you want to start going by Alex more than AJ.” McLean said he now has “learned” that AJ “is a persona” and a character known as “one-fifth of the Backstreet Boys.
” He added that he recently went on a self-journey that helped him rediscover himself. “When I went on this little self journey this past summer, I spent 10 weeks out in Scottsdale, Arizona, went to an amazing place for an intensive outpatient program called The Meadows,” he said. “Not so much for my sobriety, but really to kind of get to the roots and clean out the pipes and, you know, deal with some past traumas and whatnot.
” During his time at the program, he said, he learned two key words that have stuck with him. “One is ‘boundaries,’ that’s a big one. Love that word,” he said.
“And then, ‘authenticity.’” He credited author and professor Brené Brown, whom he’s never met but thinks is “incredible,” for inspiring him. He even tattooed her mantra “braving” on his arm.
“Which stands for boundaries, reliability, accountability, fault, integrity, non-judgment and gratitude,” he said. “So Alexander James is me being my true, authentic self.” The singer also has Alexander James as his name on his Instagr.