Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and his season 29 Dancing with the Stars accomplice Cheryl Burke are dispatching a digital podcast together!
On their new iHeartRadio digital broadcast, Pretty Messed Up — which debuts Tuesday — McLean, 42, and Burke, 36, will genuinely examine their DWTS venture together, life, love, high points and low points, companions and fence-straddling back-stabbers, just as psychological wellness, close by their kindred host Rene Elizondo Jr.
The new undertaking will permit McLean, Burke and Elizondo Jr. the chance to give fans a private gander at who they are outside of life at the center of attention.
The plan to begin Pretty Messed Up was brought into the world after a Zoom call prior this mid year. McLean and Burke met in Germany more than 20 years back and have been companions since.
“Pretty Messed Up is about really getting to know who we are behind the glitz and glam, behind the ABC family oriented type show where I’m heavily edited,” Burke told PEOPLE of the podcast.
“With this podcast, it’s going to be so nice to just be who I am. I’m sure fans have definitely seen a little bit of this, a little bit of that or maybe read my book … but now you’re really going to see me,” she continued. “What you see is what you get with me. Whether you like it or not, that’s who I am. I’m like an open book. I cannot lie. I cannot not talk.”
McLean repeated comparable assumptions, saying: “A lot has been said about me and my journey through recovery and sobriety, my ups and downs, my highs and lows, but there’s still so much left that not a lot of people know about. I’ve compared myself to an onion — there are a lot more layers to me than anyone really knows about.”
“My journey, and I know AJ’s journey coincide where we really hit the skids emotionally, mentally, physically and have learned to get back on track and not over complicate life. Doing this podcast is being able to share our experience, strength and hope that others may be going through some of the same tough times and be inspired,” he added.
Included Burke of psychological well-being issues: “I think we can all say we have them. It’s great that we can finally talk about it.”
Elizondo Jr., who has teamed up with Janet Jackson, co-composing 37 melodies on three collections throughout the long term, mutual that he also is wanting to rouse audience members through the digital broadcast.
“We’re born very pure and uncomplicated and somewhere through life we become complicated, and if we’re lucky enough we learn to uncomplicate ourselves again,” said Elizondo Jr., McLean’s longtime friend and life coach.
“My excursion, and I realize AJ’s excursion agree where we truly hit the slides inwardly, intellectually, genuinely and have figured out how to refocus and not over convolute life. Doing this web recording is having the option to share our experience, quality and expectation that others might be experiencing a portion of similar difficult stretches and be roused,” he included.
While McLean is outfitting to impart personal pieces of his life to fans, the previous kid musician has for some time been open about his battles.
In 2018, McLean opened up to PEOPLE about his fight with fixation and how he remains on target with regards to his restraint.
“You know, it’s interesting about sobriety with family and with kids — you still have to put yourself first, and that’s been a real big struggle for me,” McLean admitted. “Look, I have no shame in saying, I’ve relapsed over the past year. It’s no secret that this is a disease, and that it’s a daily struggle.”
“One of the best things I was told, from my sponsor, from my friends, is the only way around is through,” he told PEOPLE. “And sometimes, you’re just going to have the worst days possible. But if you surround yourself with a good support group, if you go to meetings, if you talk to other addicts … you have to make it a lifestyle, you truly do.”
The new venture additionally comes after an achievement in Burke’s life as the star got married to her long-term beau Matthew Lawrence a year ago. The couple wedded at the Fairmont Grand del Mar in San Diego, California, PEOPLE affirmed only at that point.
“Matt brings out the best in me,” Burke told PEOPLE. “He enjoys every moment and that helps me appreciate life even more.”