Rochelle McLean on Backstreet Boys’ Sphere residency, legacy, and more!
·44 min
This episode features Rochelle McLean, wife of Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean, discussing the group's Sphere residency and her unique role in their legacy. Hosts Kelsey and Mary interview McLean, who has been part of the Backstreet Boys' inner circle since 2009 and is credited with originating the Millennium 2.0 concept. McLean shares that she first proposed the idea of reviving the Millennium Tour during a 2014 kitchen table conversation with AJ and a friend. She specifically suggested the band recreate all the original artwork and visuals but as "40-year-old men" to enhance the nostalgia. The Sphere residency evolved from that initial tour concept after the venue approached the group to be its first pop act. McLean reveals the band members themselves never saw the full Sphere visuals before opening night, with some elements finished just days before the premiere. She attended the opening show with her daughters, who were amazed by effects like the infinite sky and vibrating seats. McLean also discusses her background, having grown up around the entertainment industry and working as a makeup artist on the "This Is Us" album cover and the "Straight Through My Heart" music video. She notes the Backstreet Boys' enduring popularity in Europe compared to smaller U.S. theaters during their "This Is Us" era. A surprising moment was seeing Anthony Ramos, a star of "Hamilton," enthusiastically sing along at a Sphere show. McLean reflects on the band's performance at the SNL 50th anniversary special, where a room full of celebrities knew every word to their songs. She contrasts current fan culture, which she finds generally nicer, with past experiences of receiving mean messages online. The conversation includes lighthearted segments, like which Backstreet Boy to trust during a zombie apocalypse (Nick, due to his video game knowledge) or to house-sit (Kevin, for being responsible). McLean also shares recent concert recommendations, praising Paul McCartney's stamina at 83 and Lady Gaga's theatrical artistry. The tone is conversational and nostalgic, blending personal anecdotes with behind-the-scenes industry insights. This episode is perfect for Backstreet Boys fans curious about the Sphere residency's origins and anyone interested in pop culture nostalgia. Listeners seeking a highly critical or purely musical analysis might find the focus too personal and anecdotal.
