Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean and his wife Rochelle Deanna Karidis have officially announced on New Year that they have filed for divorce after more than a year of separation, ending their twelve years of marriage.
The couple shared in March 2023 that they faced challenges in their relationship.
McLean, Karidis Announces Divorce
On January 1, the singer and his wife released a joint statement on Instagram about the sad news. The singer said, "As you all know we have been separated for over a year now." He continued, "While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage."
The former couple explained with deep love and respect that they had already decided. Karidis also shared on her page that their focus was moving forward in the healthiest possible way, with friendship and co-parenting their girls at the forefront of their next chapter.
She added that they appreciate their supporter's kindness, respect, and privacy.
Following their split, the former couple, married in December 2011 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, was currently focusing on raising their kids, Elliott and Lyric, in the wake of the breakup.
Elliott changed her birth name, Ava, to Elliott in the summer of 2022. Karidis clarified that Elliott sought a slightly more distinctive name since she felt there were too many other Avas.
In an interview with E! News, they said marriage was hard but worth it. They admitted amid their separation rumors that they have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on themselves and their marriage, hoping to build a stronger future.
However, the singer and hairstylist remained hopeful that they could rekindle their spark in the future.
The former couple added that the plan was to come back together and continue to nurture their love for one another and their family.
McLean, Karidis Prioritizes Self-Growth
Since their breakup, McLean has been learning how to separate and reorder parts of his life.
In August, the singer told E! News that he actively tried turning off AJ and letting him live in the world of Backstreet when he was not performing.
He explained that the biggest thing for him was knowing that AJ was a persona. He added, "AJ is my job, but Alex is who I am."
McLean said he became much happier after learning how to manage his work-life balance. He said that when AJ was done doing work, he was Alex, a husband, a father, and a friend.
Furthermore, Karidis has recently been taking a page from Taylor Swift's playbook. She wrote in her Instagram bio, "best believe I'm still bejeweled."
Zac Brown Band frontman and his wife also announced on December 29 their split after four months of marriage. The former couple said they were currently in the process of divorce, but mutual respect for one another remains.
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