Following in the ultra-romantic footsteps of Johnathon Schaech (he used to be married to Christina Applegate, was in a movie a long time ago with then-unknown Liv Tyler) and mimicking the most popular way to show love (on reality television shows), Backstreet Boy AJ McLean decided on the most impossibly idyllic setting to profess his everlasting affection to girlfriend Rochelle Karidis: on a stage. In Las Vegas. It’s what every part-time tattoo model wants. To celebrate his 32nd birthday, McLean ran into Rocks, an upscale jewelry store within the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. He told friends that he went in to buy a bracelet for his lady love, but came out with one of Rocks’ finest engagement rings.
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The former boy-bander was in town with Rochelle and friends not only for his birthday, but to have their pictures taken with numerous attendees of the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. Hard Rock nightclub Wasted Space was, in fact, hosting a party for the lascivious website “Naughty America”, one of the nation’s finest adult entertainment cyber-experiences. A DJ was spinning tunes and everyone was partying, although there is no word on whether McLean—whose very public battle with drugs, alcohol, and depression—was drinking. On the night of January 8, the venue was packed with an interesting cast of conventioneers and the friends of AJ McLean.
And even though the singer was not actually performing, he asked the DJ to turn off the music at midnight, where he jumped onto the stage and asked Rochelle to join him. He got down on one knee and everything, just like every little girl dreams of (minus the delegates from the porn convention, possibly). Rochelle seemed a little confused and squatted down, not understanding that he was gettin’ his romance on. And there, in front of some of erotica’s finest, AJ McLean asked Rochelle Deanna Karidis to be his wife. She said yes and he took the ring out of his jeans pocket, presenting it to her in one of Las Vegas’ most dignified dance club settings. All that was missing was the horse-drawn carriage.
For the occasion, AJ wore his finest ripped jeans, black Chuck Taylor low-tops, and his signature wallet-chain. He also had a fresh coat of black nail polish painted on, although his eyeliner appeared to be from the night before. Nonetheless, he was dressed to impress. What woman could possibly say no?
The newly-betrothed couple eventually retired to the Hard Rock Hotel’s Tower Spa Suite. They have not yet set a date for their wedding, but we can be sure it will be a storybook event.