Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean is our favorite person right now. That weave-wearing queen had a kiki with PrideSource, where he revealed that — contrary to Lance Bass’s (and popular) opinion — there’s no “gay one” in the Backstreet Boys. There is, however, a heel-loving, dress-wearing, leg-shaving fag hag that’s been snatching wigs since he was 3.
On BSB’s gay following:
I think it’s awesome. It’s great. I’ve worn a dress at my wedding. I’ve worn 6-inch Louboutins. I’ve got no fear and no shame. There’s one guy named Matt and he’s a big, big Nick Carter fan. He’s this older gentleman from Tampa and he’s gay, and he’s been following us during this whole tour from China to Japan and now through the U.S. I think he really hopes that Nick might have a little bit of gay.
On haggery:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
I’ve been in this business since I was 3 and I grew up in musical theater, so I was raised and surrounded by gay men and gay women. I was hardly around anyone straight…It kind of is [amazing he’s straight]. Everyone always says, “When you look at a boy band, one of them has to be gay.” No, they don’t. Instead of me being gay, I’m the fag hag.
On bullying:
I hope that these young teens, or even full-grown gay men and gay women that are still struggling with bullying and still struggling with being looked down upon, know that you can do this as long as you surround yourself with the right people and believe in yourself and stay true to who you are.
On marriage equality:
I have a lot of gay friends and two of my best friends have been together for almost 10 years. And living in California, it’s been so friggin’ frustrating to me that they could not get it right; they couldn’t pass the bill. Then, literally, right after we dropped the video [for “In a World Like This”], they actually passed the bill (allowing LGBT people to get married) in California, and I was just ecstatic. I just love the fact that people love each other, no matter if they’re the same sex or not. I think everybody’s equal, period.
On having his innocence snatched by drag queens:
We were in our trailer and we were watching these guys changing. We thought these were chicks – and all of a sudden they were taking off their clothes and I’m like, “Wait, that girl’s got, like, pecs. And oh, that’s a penis.” I was like, “What the hell is going on?” We did three or four songs, the crowd went nuts and I was standing next to this 6-foot-6 drag queen who gave me a hug and a kiss. I was beside myself, and that was when we first knew that we had a big gay following.
On walking in heels:
I was a little wobbly at first. I was like a baby calf, but then I figured it out. I don’t see how women walk heel to toe in friggin’ heels, so, for me, I walk toe to heel. It’s weird. I walk like a stork, but at least I’m not falling down.
On tucking it up as a drag queen:
I thought about it. I thought it might be fun to do a music video where I’m a drag queen, but I got a thing with my facial hair. I don’t like to shave. Also, I might be the ugliest drag queen you’ve ever seen.
Eh, he should still probably give it a try. We’ve seen some rough queens in the past and they couldn’t even walk in heels.
Check out the full interview over at PrideSource. | Photo: Tyler Shields
BrandoPolo
Straight allies, what an awesome thing.
Kieran
He’s a “fag hag”? Why bring “fags” into this? AJ should come right out and say that he’s a proud heterosexual dude who likes wearing women’s lingerie and heels. It’s called transvestism and most of the guys into this are strait. Say it loud, say it proud.
rickydee1955
“Fag Hag” is an antiquated derogatory term, often meaning a “beard,” or a woman who walks with a gay man to help disguise his S.O. It is insulting to gays and women. Please eliminate it from your “gay glossary.”
mdw021
Oh please….fag hag is a term of endearment. Just like many terms it is about context and here there is no malice.
B Damion
Why..why..whyyyyy…can’t this man just live his truth without the bitching and moaning. Isn’t it a positive thing that he is secure within his sexuality enough to not be threatened by haggin around the gays? When will it ever be enough…lol
Jimi
let us not forget the original Backstreet Boys, the back up band for NYC/UK punk scene star Wayne (who is now Jayne) County!
pauleky
@mdw021: Exactly.
DuMaurier
@mdw021: Yep. I’ve always thought the term has a harsh ring to it, but it’s who’s saying it and why. Just like there’s a big difference between the word “fag” when some asshole in a car is yelling it at you while you’re walking along, versus when your friends, gay or straight, are being silly and fun together. A.J. McLean is not the asshole in the car. (If he were trying to be, he’s going about it all wrong….!)
LadyL
Awesome guy, A.J.
I’d like to think Nick Carter–the BB with the gay fan who has followed the tour and is crushing on him so big–is as at ease with LGBT as A.J. but I wonder after his alleged experience with sleazebag former manager Lou Pearlman. (Referencing a disturbing Vanity Fair magazine piece–“Mad About the Boys” Nov 2007–chronicling Pearlman’s financial chicanery and alleged (keep wanting to put quotation marks around that word) sexual harassment of his boy bands.
BlogZilla
These guys have so much freakin’ money they don’t give a hooty-tooty flying fornication anymore. And I think he just does this to get attention and as an escape
jmmartin
Isn’t she a cutie. Back in my day we called this “genderfuck.”
michaelroy
@rickydee1955: @rickydee1955: you’ve got to be kidding. fag hag has been a term of endearment for quite sometime now. I guess whatever shade you found in the term was ripped from it a long time ago.
michaelroy
Somehow I always new the freaky one and most likely to be gay Backstreet Boy would be AJ. And I’m glad!! 😉
mangina
He has a crossdressing fetish.
liquidskyny
what’s up with this note in the article – “It kind of is [amazing he’s straight] – why amazing? Becuase Queerty believe that being gay is based on nuture not nature? c’mon!
Bozen
Yuck
ludwig9
Fag hag: it’s amazing what low self esteem gay men still have that they welcome being referred to by derogatory terms (not to mention the reductive term for women who are friends with them). This is why you continue to act out against yourselves.
Derek Williams
What a brilliant story. This guy has my respect.
heatstroke1981
Derogatory words come from a bad heart. Making light out of dark things is a gift that isn’t easily acquired. There are other battles to fight, not something that comes from a person who is being positive.