Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean recalls 'heartbreaking' encounter with Britney Spears

The Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean has recalled a heartbreaking interaction with Britney Spears.

McLean detailed his brief exchange with the pop star, who he says is "pretty much [his] neighbour" during a recent interview on SiriusXM's Andy Cohen Live.

"My thoughts and my prayers are with her. I am 100 per cent team Britney," he said on July 14.

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McLean said he and Spears both frequent the same Los Angeles shopping centre and that he sees the pop star "often".

"The last time I saw her, it broke my heart," he began. "Last time I saw her, she was with a gentleman. I'm assuming it was security or maybe a driver."

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McLean's wife asked him to get some cupcakes for a birthday party when he bumped into Spears.

"Went in, she was there, she looked right at me and I was like, 'Hey, it's AJ,'" he said. "And she just kind of had this glass face. Like, she just didn't know who was there. It took her a minute. And then she realised it was me, and we hugged and we talked for a brief moment, but I could just see that this wasn't her. Like, I'm not looking at the person I knew from years and years ago."

McLean's remarks come after Spears non-court-appointed attorney Mathew Rosengart was approved. The pop star celebrated the milestone by writing "#FreeBritney" in a recent Instagram post of her doing cartwheels.