The Relationship Journey of AJ McLean and Rochelle McLean: From Their Serendipitous Meeting to Their Brief Separation
AJ McLean and wife Rochelle have been through a rollercoaster journey since their meet-cute in 2009 From their beautiful wedding in December 2011 to the temporary separation they faced, their relationship timeline is filled with love, challenges, and growth
AJ McLean and Rochelle McLean have always prioritized their marriage, even during a brief separation.
Although they initially crossed paths in 2008, their relationship didn't truly flourish until later. AJ first asked Rochelle out when she was working as a waitress at Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood. Though she turned him down the first time, he didn't give up and asked her out again one year later, to which she finally said yes.
AJ and Rochelle got engaged in January 2010 and got married almost two years later. They became parents for the first time in 2012 when their daughter Elliott was born, and in 2017, their family grew with the arrival of their daughter Lyric. However, in March 2023, after being married for over a decade, they decided to separate temporarily.
Marriage can be challenging, but it is ultimately rewarding. AJ and Rochelle have made a mutual decision to temporarily separate in order to focus on personal growth and improving their marriage. Their goal is to build a stronger future together. They intend to reunite and continue nurturing their love for each other and their family. During this difficult time, AJ and Rochelle kindly request respect and privacy, especially considering the involvement of their children. To learn more about AJ and Rochelle's relationship timeline, continue scrolling.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock ; FayesVision/WENN.com Newscom ; Karl Larsen/INFphoto.com
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and Wife Rochelle McLean’s Relationship Timeline: From Their Meet-Cute to Their Temporary Separation
AJ McLean and Rochelle McLean have always put their marriage first — even in the wake of their temporary separation.
Although the couple initially met in 2008, their relationship did not develop until later. AJ first asked Rochelle out while she was working as a waitress at Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood. Initially, she turned him down, but one year later, AJ asked her out again and this time she accepted.
In January 2010, AJ proposed, and almost two years later, the couple got married. After being married for one year, AJ and Rochelle became parents for the first time with the birth of their daughter Elliott in 2012. Then, five years later in 2017, their family expanded further with the arrival of their second daughter, Lyric.
In March 2023, AJ and Rochelle made the decision to take a brief break from their marriage after being together for over ten years.
“We acknowledge that marriage can be challenging, but we believe it is worth the effort. After careful consideration, we have mutually agreed to temporarily separate in order to focus on personal growth and strengthen our relationship for a better future,” AJ and Rochelle stated in a joint statement to We magazine. “Our intention is to reunite and continue to cultivate our love for each other and our family. During this time, we kindly request respect and privacy. Separation is already difficult, especially when there are children involved, so we kindly ask for kindness and understanding.”
Keep scrolling to see AJ and Rochelle’s relationship timeline:
Credit: Charlie Luciano/startraksphoto.com
2009
AJ and Rochelle started dating a year after Rochelle, a former Saddle Ranch waitress, initially rejected AJ. After temporarily leaving her job at the popular celebrity hangout, Rochelle decided to give AJ another opportunity.
"She was away for a whole year, and when she returned, I asked her out again. Our first date was on March 22nd, 2009," shared the "Incomplete" singer during his appearance on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
January 2010
The “Larger than Life” performer proposed to Rochelle on his birthday.
Credit: Karl Larsen/INFphoto.com
December 2011
The couple tied the knot at the Beverly Hills Hotel in a gothic-themed ceremony.
Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
2012
AJ and the hair stylist welcomed their first child, daughter Elliott.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
2017
Five years later, the pair expanded their family with their second daughter, Lyric.
Credit: Jim Smeal/Shutterstock
August 2022
When Elliott made the decision to change her name, her parents were supportive of their little one’s choice.
"I saw no harm in respecting her desire to be unique. It's actually quite strange that, as parents, we choose names for individuals we've never met and expect them to forever identify with that name!" the makeup artist wrote on her Instagram Story.
One month later, AJ expressed initial surprise at his daughter's name change but eventually embraced it. "Whatever her reasoning may be, I will fully support it. My wife will as well," he stated during a September 2022 Today interview.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
March 2023
After nearly 11 years of marriage, AJ and Rochelle confirmed to Us that they were temporarily separating with the hopes of reconciling in the future.
"Marriage is a challenging journey, but one that is ultimately rewarding. Our decision to temporarily separate is driven by our commitment to personal growth and the improvement of our union, in the hopes of creating a stronger future together," shared the estranged couple in a collective statement to Us. "Our intention is to reunite and continue nurturing our love for each other and for our family. We kindly request respect and privacy during this period of separation, understanding that it is already difficult without additional commentary. Please demonstrate kindness and remember that our children are also affected."
Credit: Valerie Macon/Getty Images
November 2023
Eight months after their separation was made public, AJ revealed that he and Rochelle had managed to maintain a friendly dynamic and were actively working on their relationship. Despite living apart, they were attending couples therapy and receiving individual counseling. AJ emphasized that they remained in constant communication and were gradually increasing the amount of time they spent together. During an interview on Cheryl Burke's "Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans" podcast, he acknowledged the need to rebuild a foundation that had never truly existed from the start.
