Let’s Meet the Real-Life Loves of the Backstreet Boys

Instagram // @backstreetboys

The Backstreet Boys have long been an iconic boy band, reaching top fame in the 1990s and 2000s and captivating fans long after. Their personal lives have also been the focus of the media for decades, including their family, spouses, and children. Here is a closer look at the wives of Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter.

Kristin Richardson

Kevin and Kristin Richardson have been married for nearly 25 years. The two met at Walt Disney World in 1992 and had several breakups before they married in 2000. The Backstreet Boys family had some fertility challenges but had their first son, Mason, in 2007 and their second son, Maxwell, in 2013. They often share their moments on social media.

Instagram // @kevinscottrichardson and @kristinkayphoto

Leighanne Littrell

Brian met Leighanne in 1997 on the set of the “As Long as You Love Me” music video, and she was an actress and model at the time. They married in 2000 and recently celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2020. Back then, the two praised each other and their dedication to their relationship. They share one son, Baylee, who was born in 2002 and is now pursuing a career in country music.

Instagram // @leighanne_littrell

Rochelle McLean

AJ McLean and Rochelle ended their 12-year marriage very recently in a friendly breakup in January 2024. They met in 2008, and Rochelle was a waitress at the time. After they married in 2011, Rochelle became a makeup artist and hairstylist and appeared in AJ’s solo music videos, as well as in the video of the Backstreet Boys for “No Place.” They have two daughters, Elliott and Lyric, and maintain a friendly relationship and even appear together at their daughters’ events.

Instagram // @rochelle_deanna

Leigh Dorough

Howie Dorough’s wife, Leigh, has enjoyed a great career as a TV and film executive, real estate broker, and co-founder of the luxury handbag line ESLLA. The two met in 2000 when Leigh was the webmaster for the Backstreet Boys and married in 2007. Howie has stated that Leigh has influenced his musical tastes by introducing him to new genres. This Backstreet Boys family has two sons, James, born in 2009, and Holden, born in 2013.

Instagram // @leighannedorough

Lauren Kitt Carter

Nick met Lauren in 2008 when she was an actress and fitness trainer, and the ones who introduced them were his siblings. The two married in 2014, and since then, Lauren has appeared with Nick in the SyFy movie Dead 7 and some of his music videos. She also launched her online platform for cryptocurrency education called Crypto Café. They have three children: Odin, born in 2016; Saoirse, born in 2019; and Pearl, born in 2021.

Instagram // @laurenkittcarter