He doesn’t hold it against her.
AJ McLean exclusively gushed to Page Six at Thursday’s iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 about his special bond with Britney Spears, three weeks after the pop star made headlines for a DUI arrest.
“We see each other every so often,” the Backstreet Boys member, 48, said, noting that they “live in the same neighborhood in the same area.”
The “Everybody” singer said that when he does “cross paths” with Spears, 44, he “always just give[s] her a hug and check[s] on her.”
McLean, who was nominated for the awards show’s favorite onscreen category, added that he “wish[es] her the best.”
As for whether he has “spoken to her” recently, the “Building the Band” host told us, “I haven’t.”
The “Crossroads” actress was arrested in Ventura County, Calif., on March 4 after swerving and speeding.
An insider told us Spears was caught with an unknown substance, believed to be pills, in her vehicle.
The performer was released from jail the following morning and has a hearing scheduled for May 4.
We hear Spears is “devastated” over the detainment, with a source telling us the moment “scared the crap out of her” and she “knows she has to face the consequences whatever they may be.”
Spears has yet to speak out on her legal troubles — but her manager, Cade Hudson, did release a statement earlier this month labeling her actions “inexcusable.”
While McLean did not mention the scandal during Thursday’s chat, he is gunning for Spears to perform at next year’s Super Bowl — along with the Backstreet Boys and a number of other stars from the 1990s and early aughts.
He told People last month that he “started an online petition” regarding the February 2027 performance at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, and fellow band member Nick Carter pitched *NSYNC and 98 Degrees joining as well.
McLean explained to Page Six on Thursday that “finally” having the opportunity to take the stage would be “the icing on the cake for the Backstreet Boys.”
“Britney and *NSYNC did it already with Aerosmith, and we did the national anthem that year,” he continued, referencing the 2001 halftime show.
“Come on, Jay-Z, make it happen,” he quipped of the Roc Nation founder, who helps secure talent for the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show. “It’s only right. It’s the right time.”
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