Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean on Addiction, Sobriety And The Moment He Nearly Lost Everything

We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

FlightStory

Relationships, Society & Culture, Leisure

4.7 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2026

⏱️ 99 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean opens up about fame, fatherhood, recovery and the work it takes to rebuild your life while you’re still living it. Alex reflects on the early days of building the Backstreet Boys, the brotherhood that sustained them through global fame, and the hidden cost of growing up in the spotlight. He speaks candidly about living a double life, but also about sobriety, creativity and rediscovering pride, especially after the moment his daughters told him they were proud of him. Today, Alex shares how doing the inner work helped him reconnect with music, purpose and joy on stage again. Alex also discusses reconciling with his wife, learning boundaries, managing ego inside a legendary band, and honouring the legacy of Liam Payne. This is a conversation about accountability, growth and becoming a better man. Alex shares: ◽ How the Backstreet Boys were built and why their bond still works ◽ Living a double life and what finally forced change ◽ The moment his daughters shifted how he sees himself ◽ Wanting to get back together with his wife and rebuilding trust ◽ Managing fame, ego and longevity ◽ Remembering Liam Payne and lessons from shared struggles ◽ Why putting himself first helped him show up better for everyone AJ McLean, We Need To Talk Support charities: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb Follow me here:https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod (00:00) Intro (02:17) What’s the Difference Between Alex and AJ? (06:27) The Root of Alex’s Addiction (07:32) Alex’s Complicated Relationship With His Father (11:59) The Importance of Boundaries (12:48) How Alex Got the Nickname “Bone” (15:59) When Alex Knew He Was a Performer (17:22) How the Backstreet Boys Were Formed (20:26) Lou Pearlman’s Hold on the Backstreet Boys (22:02) The Dynamic Between the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC (27:58) Backstreet Boys’ Early Success in Europe (30:38) How the Backstreet Boys Redefined the Boy Band Genre (32:17) The High Points of Backstreet Boys Fame (37:09) The Enduring Popularity of the Backstreet Boys (38:53) “Yes Men” and the Band’s Darkest Period (41:31) Backstreet Boys at The Sphere in Las Vegas (46:26) Huel Ad (47:34) WNTT LA Trailer (48:29) Alex’s Rock Bottom (52:55) Alex’s Relationship With His Daughters (01:01:06) Alex’s Relationship With His Wife and Their Ongoing Reconciliation (01:05:59) The Meaning Behind the Epilogue of Alex’s New Album (01:09:29) How the Backstreet Boys Manage Their Egos (01:14:00) Building the Band and Alex’s Relationship With Liam Payne (01:22:15) Alex’s Mantra for Self-Acceptance (01:26:21) Paul Shows Alex a Photo (01:29:20) Most Memorable Conversation (01:36:10) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Huel: https://my.huel.com/WNTT30 with code WNTT30 for 30% off Sync ID: MB01J27MGCBD5XC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Something unexpected has arrived in Happy Meal.
0:03.0	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hello Kitty and friends are teaming up for the Ultimate Collab.
0:08.0	Joining your little ones on a fun-fueled adventure.
0:11.0	Some fun, some food, it's all inside this Happy Meal.
0:16.0	Until the 2nd of February from 11am includes one pre-selected book or toy whilst dots last.
0:20.0	My rock bottom in the backseat place I was drinking on stage. So I was ready to go the minute I walked off stage. Like, straight to the bar. Back streets, back, all right. I just loved the crowd. I'll never forget. They had shut down Times Square for about six blocks, a sea of people.
0:38.3	Psychologically, truly, like, how does that impact you?
0:41.3	God.
0:42.3	Was it Lou Promen?
0:43.3	Lou was the entrepreneur that put this whole thing together, but we didn't read the fine print.
0:48.3	Boy band promoter turned federal prisoner.
0:51.3	Lou Promen sentenced to tape for the chronic banks and investors out of his money $300 million. We wanted to send him to a fraudic base and investors out of his much as $300 million.
0:56.0	We wanted to simply to ask one word, one question.
1:01.0	Why?
1:02.0	But I flew home, smelled like a bar, hadn't slept,
1:06.0	went to get my youngest to hug.
1:08.0	And she's like,
1:13.7	you don't smell like my dad.
1:16.2	Alex is who I've always been.
1:18.9	AJ is a character in a band.
1:23.2	It's nice to know that now each of us really truly has a voice to speak up.
1:23.8	And of course,
	...

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