Elliott McLean: Backstreet Boys Star AJ McLean’s Daughter, Name Change, and Life in 2026
Elliott McLean, born Ava Jaymes McLean on November 27, 2012, is the eldest daughter of Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean and makeup artist Rochelle DeAnna Karidis. At age 9, she made headlines when she decided to change her name from Ava to Elliott—a choice that sparked conversations about identity and parental support. Now 12 years old, Elliott continues to navigate life as the daughter of one of pop music’s biggest icons while carving out her own identity.
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Who is Elliott McLean?
Elliott McLean is the first child of Alexander James “AJ” McLean and Rochelle DeAnna McLean (née Karidis). She was born in Los Angeles, California, and has one younger sister, Lyric Dean McLean, born on March 19, 2017.
Elliott grew up in the spotlight, frequently appearing at red carpet events and in social media posts shared by her parents. Despite her father’s fame, her parents have worked to provide her with as normal a childhood as possible.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Ava Jaymes McLean |
| Current Name | Elliott McLean |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 2012 |
| Age | 12 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
| Parents | AJ McLean (father), Rochelle DeAnna Karidis McLean (mother) |
| Sibling | Lyric Dean McLean (younger sister, born 2017) |
| Name Change Year | 2022 (age 9) |
The Name Change from Ava to Elliott
In August 2022, Elliott announced she no longer wanted to be called Ava. Her parents publicly shared the news when they posted back-to-school photos showing balloons that read “Elliott’s First Day of 4th Grade.”
The name change prompted questions from fans and media, leading Rochelle to clarify the reasoning behind the decision. According to Rochelle, Elliott had experimented with different names since she was about five years old. “Ava has changed her name quite a few times since she was about five,” Rochelle explained on Instagram. “Last year she asked us to start calling her Elliott, and it stuck.”
The primary reason? Elliott wanted something unique. “She wanted something unique that no one else had. There are so many Avas,” Rochelle wrote. Elliott told her father she felt her original name was “not that unique and not that original,” as there were many girls named Ava at her school and dance classes.
AJ revealed that Elliott drew inspiration from the movie “Pete’s Dragon,” which features a character named Elliott—a gentle giant dragon who can breathe fire and make himself invisible.
Rochelle addressed speculation head-on: “For those asking, not that it’s anyone’s business, but Elliott’s name change is not a gender thing.” She reiterated this point in August 2024, making clear that the decision was purely about personal preference and uniqueness.
The name has not been legally changed. AJ acknowledged that Elliott “may wake up tomorrow and say, ‘I’m Ava again,'” showing the family’s flexibility with her choice.
Elliott’s Parents: AJ and Rochelle McLean
AJ McLean met Rochelle DeAnna Karidis in 2008 when she was working as a waitress at Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood. He asked her out, but she initially rejected him. They began dating in March 2009, and AJ proposed during a trip to Las Vegas in November 2009.
The couple married on December 17, 2011, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. AJ’s Backstreet Boys bandmates attended the wedding ceremony. Elliott was born less than a year later in November 2012, followed by Lyric in March 2017.
In March 2023, AJ and Rochelle announced they had separated, expressing hope for reconciliation. However, on January 1, 2024, they confirmed their divorce after more than a year apart. “As you all know, we have been separated for over a year now,” they wrote. “While we have hoped for reconciliation, we have decided to officially end our marriage.”
Despite their divorce, both parents have emphasized their commitment to co-parenting. AJ has publicly stated he still hopes for a reunion with Rochelle, tellingthe media in 2024 and 2025, “We’re the best of friends, and honestly, we’re in the best place I think we’ve ever been.”
Rochelle, a professional makeup artist and hairstylist, has been credited by AJ with supporting him through his struggles with addiction and recovery in the early 2010s.
Elliott’s Relationship with Her Father’s Music
In March 2025, AJ revealed that Elliott has a complicated relationship with her father’s most famous work. She “hates” the Backstreet Boys’ 1999 hit “I Want It That Way” with a passion—not because of the song itself, but because of relentless teasing at school.
“My oldest daughter hates that song, hates it with a passion,” AJ told People magazine. “Because she gets teased at school when she walks into school.”
When AJ drops Elliott off at school, the boys sing the lyrics at her: “Tell me why.” AJ admits he sometimes joins in “to embarrass her because that’s what dads do.”
However, AJ noted that Elliott “secretly” loves some Backstreet Boys music. Both Elliott and Lyric’s favorite song is “That’s The Way I Like It” from the 1997 album “Backstreet’s Back”—a track that was never released in the United States.
Elliott’s Interests and Activities
Elliott has shown interest in performing arts from a young age. She has participated in:
- Competitive dance classes (ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary)
- Acting lessons
- Singing lessons
- TikTok content creation with her father
In September 2023, Elliott and Lyric appeared in a holiday advertising campaign for The Children’s Place alongside their father, *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and his daughter, Lance Bass and his children, and Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris and his daughter.
Elliott has appeared in several of her father’s music videos, including “God, Your Mama and Me,” “Night Visions,” and “No Place.” She also appeared in the 2022 holiday special “A Very Backstreet Holiday.”
In 2025, Elliott graduated from elementary school, a milestone AJ celebrated on social media with “tears of joy.”
Life in 2026
At 12 years old, Elliott continues to split her time between her parents while living primarily in Los Angeles. She attends school, participates in dance, and occasionally appears at public events with her father.
In January 2026, Elliott and Lyric made a surprise appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show to support their father’s solo album release, “My Name Is Alexander James.” The girls told Hudson they were “very proud” of their dad.
Elliott maintains an active presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her life under the username @elliottmclean.
The McLean Family Dynamic
Despite their parents’ divorce, Elliott and Lyric remain close with both AJ and Rochelle. The family continues to spend time together, attending events like the Backstreet Boys’ 2024 Sphere residency in Las Vegas.
AJ has been open about his commitment to co-parenting and putting his daughters first. “God forbid we came to that realization that we’re not gonna try to work things out,” AJ said in December 2025, “we’ve still come to a great place where we can coexist together happily, but, most importantly, put our children first.”
The McLean family’s approach to Elliott’s name change has been praised as an example of supportive parenting. By allowing Elliott to explore her identity and make choices about her own name, AJ and Rochelle have shown their commitment to raising children who feel empowered to be themselves.
Conclusion
Elliott McLean’s story illustrates the challenges and opportunities of growing up in the public eye. From her decision to change her name at age 9 to navigating school while being the daughter of a Backstreet Boys member, Elliott has faced unique circumstances with the support of her parents.
While her future path remains open—whether in entertainment, fashion, music, or another field entirely—Elliott has already demonstrated courage in making choices that reflect her authentic self. Her parents’ supportive approach to her name change and their commitment to co-parenting provide a stable foundation as she continues to grow and discover her own identity beyond her famous last name.
