A.J McLean is energy personified. He's a stupendous dancer, a marvelous singer, and he's got a personality that's bigger than life.

    A.J was no stranger to the spotlight when he was selected to join the Backstreet Boys. He started working at the age of six, working the runway as a model. He was discovered, and given a role in a dinner theater production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.--he played Dopey. "My mom thought it was a big deal, but I was like, OK, it's cool,"  he remembers.  "Cause if you remember , Dopey doesn't say anything. But I was the biggest hit of the show."

    A.J. continued to work as an actor in local theater, and in TV and movies. He also trained like crazy, taking both acting and singing lessons. Then when he was about 15 years old, he was called to audition for a part in a singing group--and of course, that group became the Backstreet Boys.

    A.J. quickly found his niche in the Backstreet Boys, strutting his stuff and raising the roof with his deep, baritone. When asked what his contribution was to the group, he modestly explained, "I guess the dancing--and maybe the stage presence. See, I'm one crazy kid on stage. I scream, I do stupid things, just to get laughs or attention. I don't try to draw attention from the other guys--I'm just trying to bring attention to everyone. I've had girls come backstage after a show and say, 'Boy, are you crazy!' and I tell them. good, that's what I want you to think."

    Offstage, A.J. is thoughtful and almost--though not quite--shy, something you'd never guess by the playful things he does to his hair, or the shiny silver rings he sports on every finger. "Like the 'do?" he always asks when you notice his new hair color or style. "I like to change my hair a lot. It's so I don't get boring. People would get so bored if they had to stare at the same me all the time."

    With A.J.'s bounty of talents, there's absolutely no stopping him--he's got a successful future, no matter what he chooses to do. But what will his choice be? Although he's an awesome dancer and singer, we suspect there are two career possibilities in his future. One is behind the scenes--he's expressed an interest in producing material for other singers, and he totally loves working in a studio, where the action is. And acting still holds great appeal for A.J. "That's what I started out doing," he muses. "That might be where I end up again. Who knows?"