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Backstreet Boy McLean treated for depression
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Backstreet Boys member A.J. McLean started treatment for clinical depression Tuesday, a day after the rest of the highly successful boy band announced plans to postpone more than a dozen concerts over the coming month. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, the group said that McLean's behavior -- which included showing up late for meetings, heavy consumption of alcohol, and saying his was sick when he was hungover -- had been affecting the group often enough for them to confront him. "At the beginning of this leg of the U.S. tour, we had come together as a group and tried to get A.J. some counseling and group counseling," bandmate Kevin Richardson told Michael Okwu of CNN's "Showbiz Today Reports." "We were concerned about his lifestyle changes in the past year and they were starting to affect his work and affect us and the way we do things together. "We were concerned about his health and his well-being, as well as his performance," said Richardson.
McLean, 23, also has recently suffered anxiety attacks. His bandmates -- Richardson, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and Brian Littrell -- attributed McLean's problems to the recent death of his grandmother, with whom he was very close. Dorough said the Backstreet Boys wanted to be "honest with our fans" about McLean's situation. "I think our biggest thing is we always pride ourselves on our honesty," Dorough said. "We pride ourselves on being five wholesome guys, but at the same time we're five human beings. We have our downfalls just like anyone else." The group said in a statement released Monday that tour dates are being postponed because McLean is unable to perform with the group. McLean, nicknamed "Bone" and "A.J.," is a singer who also plays the bass guitar and piano. The postponements went into effect immediately, beginning with Monday's show in Boston. The group is to return to the stage August 7 in Vancouver. The Boston shows will be September 8-10, and the other postponed appearances will follow. Tickets already purchased will be honored at the rescheduled dates. Refunds also are available. The updated tour dates are as follows: Rescheduled shows:
Tue 8/7: Vancouver, BC General Motors Place Rescheduled shows:
Fri 9/7: East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena ![]() |
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