Backstreet Boy AJ McLean Calls DAYS Role a “Dream Come True”

As a member of the boy band Backstreet Boys, AJ McLean has toured the world, received eight Grammy nominations, and many other accolades. But on July 21, the singer revealed that he’d achieved something of a personal milestone when he made a guest appearance on DAYS OF OUR LIVES! The moment was such a personal highlight, in fact, that had McLean “freaking out!”

Taking to TikTok to share his exciting news, McLean wrote, “Thanks to everyone here today [for] making my experience on DAYS a success. Love to the cast and everyone that made this dream come true! Let’s go!”

Standing on the outer edges of the DAYS studio floor with lights and pieces of sets visible behind him, McLean started off his video by saying that he was no stranger to his location. “I am here, currently, at Burbank Studios were back in the day, we actually used to do THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO,” he began. “But one of my biggest dreams is coming true today.”

And that’s when McLean shared the exceptionally sentimental reason why making an appearance on the NBC soap was so special to him. “There was a certain daytime TV show that my grandmother and I used to watch when I was growing up,” he explained. “And I’ll drop a couple of hints. Bo… Hope… Patch… Ring a bell? Well, yours truly is making a guest appearance as a driver — that’s my name on the show — on this show right here.”

Then, McLean paused to pan up to the iconic DAYS hourglass that adorns the door leading to the studio floor. “Boom! Oh my God, I’m freaking out!” he exclaimed like the long-time fan he is. “This is so exciting. I hope I made you proud, Grandma. Love you guys.”

It wasn’t clear from McClain’s video if he was on the set taping on July 21 — which means that he likely won’t air until later this year, as DAYS tapes several months in advance — or if his video had been made previously and he was just now sharing the news ahead of an imminent appearance. And like an old pro when it comes to acting on a soap opera, McLean didn’t spill any further deets. Not even when he’ll be airing or which character he’ll be driving around! “Stay tuned,” he concluded in a dramatic voice before launching into the soap’s famous tagline. “For these are the days of our lives.”