AJ McLean Recalls Hilarious Fistfight with Nick Carter at 90s Con

HARTFORD, Conn. — AJ McLean shared a laugh-filled tale during the “Music of the 90s” panel at the 2025 90s Con on Sunday, March 30, revealing a comical fistfight with fellow Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter.

The singer, 47, regaled audiences at the Connecticut Convention Center with an incident that took place many years ago, surprisingly prompted by an altercation over a comic book. McLean candidly admitted, “Nick and I have actually been the only ones ever [to have a fistfight].” He explained that their long-standing friendship faced a humorous challenge stemming from Carter’s teasing. “He was a big comic book collector, and I went through a really bad acne phase when I was a teenager. I was 14 or 15, and he kept calling me pizza face,” McLean recalled.

The moment escalated as McLean described a particular incident involving an “Alien vs. Predator” comic book that took a fiery turn. “I held the comic book over the sink at Kevin’s apartment with a lighter. I didn’t realize that the flame was at its highest, so it burst into flames. I’m like, ‘Oh s***!'” he said. To add to the chaos, McLean turned on the water, transforming the now burned comic into a soggy mess.

As McLean struggled with the fiery comic, Carter seized the moment to put him in a headlock and began playfully punching the back of his head. This comedic scene unfolded while bandmates Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell were present, with Richardson making his entrance in a towel just out of the shower. “At this time, Kevin, Brian and Howie lived together, so Brian was in his room on the phone. Kevin came out, in a towel out of the shower. Towel falls off,” McLean chuckled.

Adding to the absurdity of the situation, McLean noted that Howie Dorough arrived on the scene completely unfazed, munching on popcorn as if he were watching a live show. “He’s like, ‘This is amazing!’ And I’m like, ‘Damn it! Kevin, put it away. Nick, stop punching me. What’s happening? There was so much happening at one time!”

The humorous recollection was just one part of the lively panel, where multiple musicians reflected on their experiences from an era celebrated for its iconic music and culture. The Backstreet Boys, who have recently announced their return to Las Vegas for their “Into the Millennium” residency, also engaged in discussions about their enduring relationships and career milestones.

“We truly have the most loyal fans. We’re coming up on 32 years together next month. Holy crap,” McLean mentioned, emphasizing the significance of their upcoming performances and how they plan to honor their fan base. The residency will revive their 1999 album “Millennium