AJ McLean’s estranged wife, Rochelle DeAnna McLean, has issued a cautionary tale for her followers after an unexpected trip to the hospital.

On Friday, January 23, Rochelle, aged 44, took to Instagram to update her followers about the alarming health scare she encountered earlier in the week. Accompanying the post was a selfie taken from her hospital bed.

“It’s been one hell of [a] week over here!” she wrote in the caption. Rochelle explained that she had gone to the emergency room on Tuesday morning due to severe bloating and pain on the right side of her abdomen. Initially suspecting it was appendicitis, she sought medical attention to be certain. A CT scan revealed she had a cecal volvulus, a condition where the colon becomes twisted and pinched.

“I basically went straight into surgery after that,” she continued, describing how doctors removed the compromised section of her colon and reconnected the healthy parts. “Truly something I’d never even heard of happening,” she added, highlighting the unusual nature of her condition.

This health scare comes nearly a year after AJ McLean and Rochelle announced their separation. The Backstreet Boys singer, 45, confirmed the split via Instagram on January 1, marking the end of their relationship with a simple crying emoji. “As you all know, we have been separated for over a year now,” he wrote, indicating their decision to move on separately.

After the confronting experience, Rochelle urged her followers to trust their instincts when it comes to their own health.

“All I can say is listen to your body when something doesn’t feel right. Had this gone on longer and untreated, the outcome could have been very different,” she wrote. “Hoping I get to go home this evening! Take care of yourselves out there 🤍 And also… A big thank you to the surgeons, drs and nurses who have taken such great care of me this week! My hero’s 🤩🤍✨”

Rochelle’s followers rushed to her comments section to send their well wishes.

“Oh man! I’m glad you are ok, how scary. Prayers for a healthy recovery love. 🙏🏽” wrote one, while another added, “Wow. I am so happy you listened to your body! Sending lots of love, positive thoughts and healing prayers 🥰”

In November 2025, AJ exclusively spoke to Us Weekly about the status of their relationship after separating in March 2023. (The pair were together for 11 years and share two daughters, Ava, who now goes by Elliott, born in 2012, and Lyric, born in 2017.)

The Backstreet Boys singer, 48,  told Us that he and Rochelle are in a better place nearly three years after announcing their separation.

“We’re not fully back together, but we are, hands-down, the best we’ve ever been,” he said at the time. “There is such a love between the two of us, and we’ve been through f***ing hell and back. I have put this woman through the damn wringer, and the fact that she’s still here, either she’s crazy or she loves me or a little bit of both.”

Overcoming obstacles. AJ McLean achieved fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys, but a fair share of challenges have come along with his worldwide success. In 1992, the “Larger than Life” performer auditioned for the boyband and became the first official member of BSB. He was later joined by Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin […]

At the time of their split, the estranged couple said via a statement to Us that they hoped they break up would be temporary.

“Marriage is hard, but worth it. We have mutually decided to separate temporarily to work on ourselves, and on our marriage with the hope of building a stronger future,” the statement read.
“The plan is to come back together and continue to nurture our love for one another, and our family.“

They continued: “We ask for respect and privacy at this time. Separation is hard enough without the commentary, please be kind and remember there are children involved.”