The Backstreet Boys’ A.J. McLean will be on the next ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Backstreet’s back, but not in the way you think. You may not associate Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean with the pasodoble or the foxtrot, but it turns out that the “I Want It That Way” singer is about to set the ballroom dancefloor on fire. Thursday morning, the BSB alum announced that yes, the rumours are true, he’s the next contestant on the 29^th season of Dancing With The Stars.In an interview with Good Morning America, the “As Long As You Love Me” crooner, who is now 42, said via video-chat that he is excited for the coming challenges.“I've been dancing since I've been about 6 years old but this is going to be a little bit different,” A.J. smiled. “There's definitely no foxtrot in the past 27 years.”

JUST ANNOUNCED: We just revealed the first celebrity cast member of @DancingABC season 29!@backstreetboys' @aj_mclean -- can't wait to see you in the ballroom!https://t.co/MHoBtLlLC4#DancingOnGMA#DWTS pic.twitter.com/aFA0Ww8fU9

— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 27, 2020

He joins the already-announced Kaitlyn Bristowe on the DWTS roster, along with the returning pro dancers such as Sharna Burgess, Keo Motsepe, Cheryl Burke, Val Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd. The full celeb contestant list will be announced next week.A.J. was clearly stoked when he announced the big news on his social media channels, going full exclamation points with “We’re going for the mirrorball, baby!!”

We’re going for the mirrorball, baby!! I am so grateful to @dancingabc and @abcnetwork for the opportunity to be joining this season’s cast of #DWTS. I also want to thank my wife and my two girls for letting Daddy go on this new adventure. I’m doing it ALL for you! pic.twitter.com/D7K7SY1F1D

— AJ McLean (@aj_mclean) August 27, 2020

A.J. isn’t the first Backstreet Boy to show us the shape of his heart feet, as BSB heartthrob Nick Carter previously competed on the show in season 21 and came in second.“I reached out to Nick four days ago just to get some kind of insight on what to expect during the course of the season and he both supported me and terrified me a little bit,” A.J. told GMA. “Just letting me know that schedule is gonna be rough, just hang in there, it’s a marathon not a sprint and I’m gonna do the best I can and hopefully take home that mirrorball.”That’s when GMA played a previously-recorded video by Nick who showed nothing but love and encouragement for his bandmate, reminiscing about their bond that has been strong since the day Nick auditioned for The Backstreet Boys.“If there’s anybody that can get the mirrorball, it’s definitely you,” Nick smiled. “Get first place baby, go get that mirrorball!”

Everybody! @aj_mclean is joining #DWTS this season starting September 14 on ABC. ? @backstreetboys pic.twitter.com/QRzZevRClj

— Dancing With The Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) August 27, 2020

The official DWTS Insta account even posted a video of A.J. in the dance studio, having just met his pro dancing partner, and hoping that he does “right by my boy Nick.” In the comments section, Nick cheered, “Let’s go!!!”

 

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EVERYBODYYY show some love to @aj_mclean! We’re thrilled to have him join #DWTS this season. ?

A post shared by Dancing With The Stars #DWTS (@dancingabc) on Aug 27, 2020 at 5:54am PDT

A.J. also shared in the interview, and on social media, how his family’s support means everything to him and he’s “grateful” for the chance to shine in front of his two young daughters, Ava Jaymes, 7, and Lyric Dean, 3.“They are stoked — especially my oldest,” he gushed. “She's been doing competitive dance now for the last two years and my youngest is obviously trying to follow in her big sis' footsteps, so they're both just elated.”“It's going to be awesome for them to watch daddy cutting a jig on TV,” he added.On social media, he continued with the family gratitude with, “I also want to thank my wife and my two girls for letting Daddy go on this new adventure. I’m doing it ALL for you!”We can’t wait to see who else joins him when this rest of the competitors are announced on September 2.[video_embed id='2021856']BRELATED: AJ McLean rumoured to be joining 'DWTS'[/video_embed]