Resident Rebel With his tattoos, piercings and ever-changing hair colors, 22-year-old AJ is the group's resident rebel. So, what's the cause? Well, AJ admits that he likes to stir things up a bit, keeping up with the latest trends and giving the group its edgy quality, but most importantly it allows him to express his unique personality and individuality. And it certainly keeps fans guessing about his next look! Known for testing limits and pushing the envelope, AJ's good-natured efforts to challenge the powers that be have helped transform the group's image and set Backstreet Boys apart from the other male vocal groups. And it's all in keeping with AJ's electric personality; he's been that way since he was little. True fans won't be surprised to learn that as a child actor AJ actually cut his hair into a yellow Mohawk for his role of Skunk on the Nickelodeon show, "Hi Honey, I'm Home." But you might be surprised to know that AJ's latest transformation efforts no longer have the sme shock value they used to have on the other guys in the group. "These guys are used to it now," said AJ. "It kinda ticks me off that nothing shocks them anymore. Like if I dye my hair blue, they're all, 'Man that looks cool.'" It could also have something to do with the fact that since BSB is under new management, the stringent restrictions that once were used to shape the group's image are no longer in place. "In the beginning," said AJ, "it was all this puppet crap, like management saying, 'No facial hair, no earrings, no girlfriends.'"
Puppet Master AJ is certainly one who knows a great deal about puppets. It might be hard to believe, but when he used to perform for talent shows and auditions, he would use puppets. "I did a lot of talent shows with puppets," said AJ. "It just caught on because no one had seen anyone my age being interested and having that much fun doing stuff with puppets. I got a major kick out of it and I still do." Fellow Backstreet Boy Howie has his own memories of running into AJ and his puppets in the pre-BSB days at one talent show, in particular. "He did this little puppeteering ting to 'Opposites Attract' by Paula Abdul," said Howie. "All I could remember was him having this jean shirt, these pants and a tie, and a little briefcase-this little nerd!"
Clothes Addict Nerd or not, it's the clothes that make the man, and AJ learned that early on when he developed his love of them. What made him such a fashion freak? It's hard to tell. Maybe it goes along with being able to express himself or maybe his first modeling gig for J.C. Penney turned him on to fashion. One thing's for certain: Don't come between this man and his wardrobe! "I shop more than most women," said AJ. He loves silver jewelry and finding one-of-a-kind funky clothes and hats. Since he's known to be kinda clothes crazy, it makes sense that the other guys in the group would find a way to give him some good-natured ribbing, like the time Nick, Kevin and Brian stole AJ's clothes from his hotel room and stood around stifling laughter as they watched him freak out about being robbed. It was only when he made a move to report the robbery that they finally confessed to the "crime."
Romantic Vibe Currently, AJ's working to turn his pages of poetry into music lyrics for future songs for the group; he's written more than 75 poems already! AJ's the first to admit that his looks may be deceiving and that underneath the colorings and all 11 of his tattoos, you're sure to find a sensitive soul and true romantic. "I'm the complete opposite of every clean cut, decent-looking guy you could ever think of," said AJ. "Yet, I have the biggest heart in the world."
