AJ McLean On ‘Geeking Out’ Over ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Star Annie Murphy, Reconnecting With His Birth Father & New Solo Album

etcanada.com:

“Ew, AJ!” That’s what Annie Murphy’s “Schitt’s Creek” alter-ego Alexis Rose would likely say if she could see how hard AJ McLean’s still fanboying over meeting her.

During the Backstreet Boys’ recent DNA World Tour stop in Toronto, it was another loved Canadian, Drake, who stole the show by helping the quintet perform “I Want It That Way.” But behind-the-scenes, Murphy proved the highlight of McLean’s evening. “That was more fun and cooler than Drake,” McLean told us while promoting his new single “Smoke” from upcoming solo album Sex and Bodies. “Drake’s such a gentleman and an unbelievably humble human.

But I was geeking out more about Annie Murphy!” READ MORE: Backstreet Boys Stop Their Indiana Concert For A Fainting Fan In The Crowd McLean had contacted his publicist, Cara, wanting to invite anyone from “Schitt’s Creek” to the show.

Murphy and co-star Dan Levy were top of his wish list. “Next thing, she sends a screenshot of an email from Annie, saying, ‘I already had tickets, but the fact that AJ’s personally inviting me – I’ll be there topless with bells on,’” McLean said. “I also got to meet ‘Schitt’s Creek’ writer [David West Read] who wrote for Max Martin’s Broadway show and we sat on my bus, laughed and talked.” Like a true fanboy, McLean already had ideas brewing for an epic social media post, which led to the hilarious viral video, in which Murphy responds, “Ew, AJ!” as he performs the “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” dance. “As soon as she came on the bus, I said, ‘Ask me whatever you want, but you have to do one thing for me because I’m totally fangirling,’” McLean said. “We finished talking and she went, ‘What did you want me to do?’ and I told her to do, ‘Ew, AJ.’ She was like, ‘Okay, but you have to