2023 was a year of relationships. While many celebrities started their new journeys together, many others declared that they would not stay together anymore. Be it romantic relationships or marriages, the bonds seem to have hit a rough patch for many, and the new addition to the list is AJ McLean from the band ‘Backstreet Boys’.
The 45-year-old singer AJ McLean was married to his wife Rochelle DeAnna for 12 years. The couple had met three years before getting married in December 2011 in Los Angeles. Their relationship has been in the rough waters for the past few months. And now, the couple is finally calling it quits.
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AJ McLean And Rochelle’s Relationship Is In Rough Waters
AJ McLean and his wife officially announced the end of their marriage on Instagram on the first day of the year, on January 1. The two had previously shared the news of a “temporary” separation from each other in March given the rough patch in their relationship.
“As you all know we have been separated for over a year now,” the announcement made through McLean’s Instagram read. “While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage. It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision,” it further read.
In the joint statement, the couple said that though they are parting ways romantically, they wish to maintain a strong friendship and prioritize co-parenting their daughters, Elliott and Lyric. “Our focus now is moving forward in the healthiest way possible with friendship and co-parenting our girls at the forefront of this next chapter. We appreciate your kindness, respect, and privacy at this time,” the statement said.
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Why Is The Couple Getting Divorced?
The couple had first met in 2008 when Rochelle was waitressing at a restaurant. They got married three years later in Los Angeles and had two children.
When the couple announced their initial separation in March, they said that marriage had become hard for them, though it still holds value in their lives. “Marriage is hard, but worth it. We have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on ourselves and on our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future,” the earlier statement said.
“The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another and our family. We ask for respect and privacy at this time. Separation is hard enough without the commentary; please be kind and remember there are children involved,” it added.
After sharing 12 years together, AJ and Rochelle McLean are set to start their new individual journeys with the rise of the 2024 sun.
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