‘It’s Been an Incredible Journey’

AJ McLean has been working on his upcoming solo EP for the past four years. The Backstreet Boys singer popped into the Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (Oct. 20) for a chat about the BSB’s Sphere residency in Las Vegas as well as his upcoming two-part solo project, the first part of which will drop next month.

McLean said the Hi, My Name Is Alex EP will be released on Nov. 27 — which also happens to be his oldest daughter’s birthday — in an unconventional Thursday release to take advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday. “Because in my mind, I’m so thankful and grateful for fans that have waited so patiently for this,” said McLean, 47, who has previously performed on his own under the monikers Johnny No Name and Alexander James (his birth name) and released the solo album Have It All in 2010.

More from Billboard

The singer said the long wait between solo projects will be “worth the wait,” with a full-length LP, Hi, My Name Is Alexander James, slated to follow on Jan. 9, which happens to be AJ’s birthday. “i’m giving a gift to the fans and to myself. I’m really passionate about it, I’m proud of it,” said McLean. “It’s been an incredible journey finding my way… outside of Backstreet Boys. This kind of journey of self-discovery and really finding my true happiness.”

McLean noted that he just celebrated four years of sobriety, saying that where he is today shows through in his solo music. He described going to on a mental health retreat to Scottsdale, Ariz. two years ago where during a 10-week stay he began to realize that “AJ” is a character in the BSB and that he doesn’t define who Alex the person is. “I want the world to get to know Alex,” McLean said of the real him.

“I just want everyone to kind of get to know me as me because you know there’s not that much of a difference between the two, but one is part of a group, part of a team and then me on my own,” said McLean. “I finally realized that I can love myself today, which I do. I can look at myself in the mirror,” he added, explaining that he struggled with low self-esteem his entire life.

“Which is kind of mind-boggling considering what I do,” he said. “I wanted you to like me and now if you don’t like me that’s your loss. I’m a good person.”

In the meantime, the BSB have a trio of dates coming up at the Schladming Ski Opening in Schladming, Austria on Dec. 5-7, followed by a New Year’s Even run of shows at the Sphere in Vegas on Dec. 26, 27, 28, 30 and 31, then picking up again on Jan. 2, 3 and 5.

Watch McLean on the Jennifer Hudson Show below.