AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys and his wife, Rochelle DeAnna McLean, have called it quits.
To begin the New Year, on Jan. 1, the couple announced the dissolution of their relationship and impending divorce in a joint statement on AJ's Instagram. "As you all know we have been separated for over a year now," the McLean's wrote on social media. "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."
The two share two daughters, Elliott, 11, and Lyric, seven, and the family last publicly attended a screening of the animated musical film Trolls: Band Together in November.
"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," the couple continued in their statement. "We appreciate your kindness, respect, and privacy at this time."
AJ and Rochelle wed in December 2011 in Los Angeles, three years after meeting at a restaurant where Rochelle was a waitress. In March, the two announced their separation on Instagram, calling marriage "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 statement continued. "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."
