By India McCarty
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean says “the work [he’s] put in” is what keeps him from relapsing amid his addiction struggles.
“I’m sober today. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow. And I was sober yesterday. I stay in the now. I stay in the moment. I take everything in,” McLean told Fox News. “It is the age-old saying of stopping and smelling the roses. I actually physically stop and smell flowers. I have a different confidence — not arrogance, not ego — that I’ve never had. And it’s a confidence that is empowering.”
McLean continued, “That is because of the work I’ve put in and continue to and will have to do the rest of my days in existence. It doesn’t stop when you stop doing the work, when you stop spreading your experience, strength and hope, reaching out to other addicts and other people in the world that may be suffering from whatever, if you stop doing that, is when [it] goes south. That’s when the ego becomes the villain, and it takes over.”
The pop star has struggled with addiction for years, calling himself a “chronic relapser,” but said he “doesn’t have another relapse in me.”
Speaking to PEOPLE about his sobriety journey, McLean said, “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.”
Now, McLean is preparing for the premiere of Netflix’s new reality show BUILDING THE BAND, where the Backstreet Boys member will serve as host.
“I had a blast,” he told TV Insider of the show. “This show truly sets itself apart from any and every other music competition show. Not only at the epicenter that these kids don’t even get to see each other when they put themselves together, but I like the fact that they’re the ones doing it.”
McLean said BUILDING THE BAND gives “the power back to the artist,” providing the winners with a cash prize instead of locking them into a record deal, as many talent competition shows do.
“This show gives everybody a moment and, in my opinion, everyone’s a winner,” he continued. “There was too much talent. We really have set the bar very high…Like I said, it just happened organically, and it was a dream come true. I had the best time.”
As McLean enters this new creative chapter of his life, the pop star is thankful for the work he’s put in to maintain his sobriety.
Read Next: What’s Driving Gen Z’s Commitment to Sobriety?
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