The new documentary, Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event, premiered on April 13. In the series, Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed that he tried cocaine for the first time in 2000, right before a late-night video shoot for the band.
The star claimed that he woke up tired, and a friend offered him something to wake him up. Although he declined the offer at first, he ended up giving in.
“I very easily could have done the video shoot without being on drugs,” he admitted. “I think in that moment, I just caved and decided what's the worst that could happen.”
McLean has been open about his struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol. In a 2025 interview with People, he admitted that he got sober again in 2021.
"Towards the end of the DNA tour, I got sober again for the last time," he revealed. “I'm sticking this one out all the way. It's a daily thing. But I have finally done what has been suggested amongst the sober community, and my life has flipped in a positive way."
In 2023, he shared a similar sentiment. “I’ve battled self-esteem issues my entire life, and I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “My sobriety is the most solid it’s ever been. I'm in the best shape of my life, both mentally, physically, spiritually. I'm actually really happy and I love it, and I don't want to lose it. I want to continue to keep growing, growing with my wife and my kids and myself."
"I talk to my [Alcoholics Anonymous] sponsor every single day, multiple times a day," he added. "He's my best friend, so I'm surrounded with it. I even got people that are on my crew that are in programs, so it's always around me."
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event follows the dark side of the 1990s boy band boom. It features other stars from the era, like Lance Bass, Nick Lachey, Ashley Parker Angel, and Joey Fatone. It is currently streaming on HBO Max.
