From Backstreet Boys to reality show host: AJ McLean hosts show in South Africa

AJ McLeanmember of the popular Backstreet Boys, became the new host of the reality show ‘Fashion hero: a new kind of beauty’, a competition that the artist presented at Mipcom in Cannes, where participants learn to love themselves and where the singer himself had to face his demons.

The 44-year-old American presents the second season of this program, which already had a pilot season, but with him at the helm, he aims to reach a much larger audience.

“In general, they told me: do you want to go to South Africa to shoot a TV show? And I answered: Of course! I’ve never been. At first I didn’t really understand what the program was about, but five minutes later it was sold to me. I was honored to be a part of such an inspiring show,” McLean told EFE at Mipcom, the largest international marketplace for audiovisual content, which launched this weekend.

McLean, who is on tour with hooligansone of the bands that has sold the most records in history (140 million copies) took a 24-hour break to visit Cannes between concerts.

Although his first 7am flight was cancelled, he waited until the next one and agreed to reschedule his interviews overnight to share his “enthusiasm” for this new project, which he admits has changed his life.

“This show is about discovering yourself, about showing that we are all beautiful, regardless of gender, race or age. Everyone is beautiful when beauty comes from within,” says the singer.

Trial of fame and passion

Almost 30 years of career AJ McLean He was known for his moves on the track, his songs, and his drug and alcohol problems, which he explains was a way of coping with his insecurities, partly caused by the pressure of unprecedented fame. he encountered when he was only fifteen years old.

“This ‘show’ has helped me love myself more, look at myself in the mirror with confidence, because although many people may not know this, I am a very insecure person. I have had problems with drugs and alcohol for two decades. Now I’m sober and I enjoy my life.”

In 10 45-minute episodes of this competition, 22 participants from different countries – Mexico, Ireland, Germany, Uganda, Brazil, Canada, etc. will be put by coaches and help to overcome.

For the program’s creator, Canadian Caroline Bernier, McLean is a born television beast, although this was his first experience of performing, and his naturalness in front of the cameras made it easier.

“75% of the shooting went to the first. Everyone loved him because he is very affectionate. It’s easy to be with him, and the proof of this is that he still communicates with many of the participants, ”Bernier says.

“I feel like an older brother. Being in the spotlight helped me to become thicker skin, and today in networks everyone lives under a microscope. Our culture focuses on outward validation, outward appearance, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If not, are you comfortable in your own skin?

Backstreet Boy worries about the role of networks

For AJ McLean, networks have a big responsibility in this pervasive need to constantly seek approval.

“Online bullying, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence… I don’t blame social media, but it plays a huge role in the negativity around us, especially after the pandemic,” McLean says.

During the first season, Fashion Hero was broadcast in 160 countries, on Televisa, Discovery LATAM, RTL II in France or Hungary, as well as on international platforms. Now, Rapid Blue’s products, integrated into the Indigo TV catalog, hope to reach new networks.

McLean, who will continue to work on the third season, which will be filmed in Croatia, says it’s a family-friendly contest, as contestants are also between 19 and 65 years old.

According to its creators, this is “the only competition where the main thing is not winning.” However, there is one winner and four finalists, including Carlos, a 28-year-old Mexican.

(According to EFE).

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