Here's What Backstreet Boys Member AJ McLean Shares about His Elimination on DWTS

Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean's journey on "Dancing With The Star" ended on the popular show's Icons Night. Although he would have liked to be the last one standing, the singer shared what the experience meant to him.

Icons Night on season 29 of "Dancing With The Stars" became the end of the road for the 42-year-old singer AJ McLean and his professional dancing partner Cheryl Burke. Not happy about the exit, Burke voiced her disappointment by calling the judges' scoring "inconsistent."

Burke and McLean landed in the bottom two with the professional skater Johnny Weir and his professional partner, Britt Stewart. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba's vote swung the outcome in Weir's favor, leaving McLean to hang up his dancing shoes. Even so, he loved the experience.

HE LOST BUT ALSO GAINED

Following his elimination from "DWTS," McLean took to social media feeling overcome with a sense of gratitude, even though he is no longer a part of the competition. Since his exit, the singer received an outpour of support from fans, and appreciative of their kindness he thanked them for his "incredible run" on the show.

While he lost in the competition overall, McLean did gain something priceless, apart from his overall experience dancing on the show. Alongside a video dancing with Burke to the Queen song "Somebody To Love," he gushed:

"I found a lifelong friend in Cheryl and I pushed myself in ways I never knew I could. I am very proud of what we accomplished as a team."

THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS EXPERIENCE

McLean loved every minute of his nine weeks on "DWTS," and while he wished the rest of the couples the best of luck, the singer also thanked everyone involved in making the show flow so efficiently throughout the season. However, one moment during his time on the show stood out to McLean, as he wrote:

"When my @backstreetboys brothers joined our cha-cha-cha in week 4. We are always there for each other, so you guys being literally at my back to support me means the world."

FAMILY FOREVER

The 42-year-old feels that "DWTS" became like family, but he also felt a sense of gratitude towards the "true loves" of his life, the family he has in his wife and children.

While competing on the show his family were McLean's biggest fans, and after embarking on the "crazy adventure" on the show for nine weeks, he couldn't wait to get back to them.

Thankfully, she is out of the hospital and on the road to recovery.

Determination and gratitude are the fuels that help McLean follow through on the things he puts his mind to. It keeps in perspective what's important to him, and it's helped him kick a former drug habit. Grateful for a family, career, and beautiful life with his wife and kids, he has much to live for and couldn't be happier.

A WHOLE OTHER STORY

Meanwhile, McLean's former competition on the show, Jeannie Mai, had a very different experience due to the way she exited "DWTS" after Villians Night because of her health.

Mai ended up in the emergency room needing surgery after a sore throat turned out to be a potentially life-threatening infection. Thankfully, she is out of the hospital and on the road to recovery.