A.J. McLean "feels sorry" for Backstreet Boys bandmate Nick Carter.
A.J. McLean
The 35-year-old singer was arrested on Wednesday (13.01.16) and charged with one count of battery after allegedly getting into a fight in a bar in Key West, Florida.
According to reports, Nick "appeared intoxicated" at the time of the arrest, but A.J. says he shouldn't be judged on the unfortunate incident.
He said: "I feel sorry for him. Nick's dealt with his demons. He's a good kid. He really has been on top of his game, between Dancing With the Stars and getting ready for fatherhood ... He really is very, very level headed."
A.J. added that he hasn't yet spoken to Nick, but said his advice to his pal is to put the incident behind him and move on.
He added during a chat on The Kramer and Geena Morning Show: "You know, he went out, had a couple drinks, and something unfortunately went array. It does happy. He's human, and people make mistakes. Lord knows I've made plenty of them.
"You kind of have to laugh these things, otherwise you're just going to mope around and hang your head low."
The singer, who is expecting his first child with wife Lauren Kitt, has overcome alcohol and drug addictions in the past.
He explained to Entertainment Tonight in November about kicking his habits: "I was gaining weight at the time, the colour in my face was gone. I was able to look in the mirror at one point and said to myself, 'I don't want to be that person that you turn on the television and they're saying, 'We feel really bad, because he died.' "
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