This Backstreet Boy is Back and Just Announced His Dream Bandmates - Fans Are Absolutely Losing It

This Backstreet Boy is Back and Just Announced His Dream Bandmates - Fans Are Absolutely Losing It originally appeared on Parade.

AJ McLean just dropped the kind of dream collaboration lineup that has the internet simultaneously nodding in approval and clutching their pearls in shock. The 47-year-old Backstreet Boys founding member revealed his ultimate fantasy supergroup, and let's just say his choices are creating the kind of passionate fan discourse that proves boy band loyalties run deeper than anyone imagined.

The West Palm Beach native's dream team starts strong with Bruno Mars, a choice that had fans immediately envisioning the kind of seamless vocal harmonies and dynamic stage presence that would probably break the internet. Following that powerhouse selection, he named Ryan Tedder, which makes perfect sense given the OneRepublic frontman's songwriting genius and vocal abilities that have shaped countless pop anthems.

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Wanyá Morris from Boyz II Men earned the last spot, and honestly, this choice feels like pure vocal perfection waiting to happen. Anyone who's ever heard Morris's incredible range knows this collaboration would produce the kind of harmonies that give you actual chills, making this selection feel both inspired and inevitable.

But here's where things get spicy—AJ's choice of Justin Timberlake( JT) has fans completely split down the middle. Comments range from enthusiastic support acknowledging JT's undeniable talent to passionate protests suggesting JC Chasez would have been the superior choice. The *NSYNC vs. Backstreet Boys rivalry apparently still runs deep enough to influence dream band selections decades later.

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Fan reactions reveal fascinating insights into boy band politics and personal preferences. Some supporters praise AJ for recognizing talent regardless of past group affiliations, while others express genuine offense that longtime collaborator Joey Fatone didn't make the cut. The passionate responses demonstrate how seriously fans take these hypothetical musical partnerships.

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What makes AJ's choices particularly interesting is how they blend different eras and styles of pop excellence. From Bruno's contemporary R&B mastery to Boyz II Men's timeless vocal tradition, with Tedder's songwriting brilliance and Timberlake's crossover appeal, this theoretical supergroup represents a fascinating fusion of pop history's greatest strengths.

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Whether this dream collaboration ever materializes remains purely hypothetical, but AJ's willingness to imagine beyond traditional boundaries proves that great artists continue dreaming about musical possibilities that transcend industry politics and fanbase loyalties.

This Backstreet Boy is Back and Just Announced His Dream Bandmates - Fans Are Absolutely Losing It first appeared on Parade on Jul 18, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.