Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean has become thoroughly captivated by a viral music remix, an innovative mash-up created by Lydia Getachew. The remix masterfully blends Taylor Swift’s track “Elizabeth Taylor” with the Backstreet Boys' iconic 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” This musical fusion gained significant attention, not only for its creative blend but also due to the intriguing fact that both original songs were produced by the renowned pop savant, Max Martin.

Getachew initially shared her creation on October 10, posting a video where she showcased her perfect melding of Swift’s song over the distinctive Backstreet Boys beat. She noted that her brain immediately recognized a parallel in the bass drop of “Elizabeth Taylor” and the vibe of the BSB track, leading to the discovery of Max Martin's common production credit. A week later, AJ McLean himself posted a video expressing his enthusiasm for the remix, directly tagging Taylor Swift with the comment, “Come on now you know one of us had to! @taylorswift!” Swift promptly responded to McLean’s comment, exclaiming, “OH HI AJ OH MY GOD,” further fueling the remix's viral spread.

The remix has since achieved considerable digital success, garnering over one million views on TikTok and more than 665,000 streams on Soundcloud, where Getachew later uploaded the full version. Inspired by this overwhelming popularity, McLean is now expressing a strong desire to bring this unique musical moment to the live stage. He hopes to recreate the magic of the remix during the Backstreet Boys’ 'Into the Millennium' residency, which recently announced an extension with seven additional shows scheduled for December and January.

McLean also discussed future possibilities for Las Vegas’ high-tech Sphere venue. In an interview with TMZ on November 11, when asked about potential acts for the Sphere after the Backstreet Boys (comprising McLean, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, and Nick Carter) conclude their run, he offered a wish list of big names. While mentioning Coldplay, Lenny Kravitz, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, one artist stood out prominently: Taylor Swift. McLean confidently predicted, “I don’t know if she’d ever do it, but I think Taylor [Swift] would absolutely destroy it.” He highlighted Swift's genuine appreciation for their music, stating, “She is a fan, and we’re a massive fan of hers. I mean, she’s the sweetest. She’s been so kind to my daughters anytime that we’ve had a chance to hang out and meet her at her shows. She’s just the best.”

Considering the immense popularity of the mash-up, McLean passionately believes that a live performance of the remix involving Swift and the Backstreet Boys would be an earth-shattering event. “Fans are hoping she’ll do ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ while we do ‘Backstreet’s Back,’” he shared. Extending a direct invitation, he added, “Taylor, if you want, come see the show first, so you know what’s going on. And then you can figure out if you want to come up with us. We’re not going to say no.”