AJ's Facebook Update

AJ shared a new entry on his Facebook Page

'You don't wanna miss this!'

-- 20 minutess ago

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AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys Talks BSB Cruise, NKOTBSB, His Best Summer Concert, and More

"The Backstreet Boys Cruise is all about the fans", declares AJ McLean of BSB.

In fact, the cruise is the best way to get up close and personal with the premier pop group. Ever since they won over the hearts of millions worldwide, BSB have emphasized giving back to their devout, diehard audience, but there's no better way for them to do so than by spending December 2nd through December 5th with a boatful of fans.

This is unlike any other cruise out there though. Attendees enjoy themed deck parties and participate in awesome activities with the group ranging from karaoke to poker. Plus, BSB brings their catalog of classics to life live on the high seas during an unforgettable performance. The quartet—McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, and Brian Littrell—remain one of the most important and infectious pop presences ever, and the constantly find new ways to deliver their timeless jams to the world. The cruise is another shining example…

While dazzling audiences on NKOTBSB, AJ McLean spoke to ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino about the Backstreet Boys Cruise, kicking it with New Kids on the Block, the concert he remembers the most, and so much more in this exclusive interview.

Have you gotten your tickets for the Backstreet Boys Cruise Dec 2-5, 2011 yet? If you haven't what are you waiting for! Get them here!

Where did the idea for the Backstreet Boys cruise come from?

Well, we had actually heard about this whole celebrity cruise idea quite a while ago. I know Rick Springfield did it a couple of times. The New Kids on the Block have done it a few times. We gave it a try last year. We did half the boat, and it was an absolute blast. It's an awesome way for us to get really close and intimate with our fans. We do the typical meet-n-greet as well as an actual performance, but we also do other fun activities whether they're on the beach like volleyball and tug-of-war or on the boat. We did this giant Twister game. We also do these deck parties that are usually themed. We did a Black and Blue party. We were trying to do a bubble party, but unfortunately, the weather did not permit that to happen. We did an international night where everyone came dressed as their different cultures. I stayed up a couple of nights until six in the morning DJ-ing. I taught some girls how to play poker and blackjack. A couple of us would actually go to the fans' doors at two or three AM and take pictures with them. On the first cruise, we held a contest for the best door. Fans had to really go all out and put up decorations, pictures, cool shapes, designs, and whatever they could come up with on the door of their cabin. We'd pick the actual winner, and that winner could meet us and come on stage. We do game show-style activities like Family Feud. However, the best was probably open mic karaoke night. This young lady did "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot and she didn't even need the teleprompter. She knew it word for word and was popping her booty. It was awesome [Laughs]. We also picked three different winners to come up on stage and perform with us during a song called "She's a Dream". That was the first cruise.

How is the next one different?

Now, we're doing the full boat which means double of everything! Instead of three different game show-type functions, there will be double. We'll still do three different deck parties. We have one idea to do an '80s throwback night, but it'll be hair bands [Laughs]. Years ago, we had a video for "Just Want You to Know" where we're in spandex playing like an old hair band. We're going to wear the wigs and spandex and play all '80s rock music one night. I threw out the idea of doing a Pirates of the Caribbean night. We're not going to be in the Caribbean, we're going to be in The Bahamas. It's pretty darn close [Laughs]. I'm going to dress up like Captain Jack Sparrow. Nick threw out the idea of doing a KY wrestling match with the fans a la Old School with "Old Blue". We want to push the limits on this next cruise, get crazy, and have fun. It's a full boat so it's a lot more work, but it's a ton of fun. We're looking forward to it! It's going to be awesome.

What other ideas did you bring to the table for this next cruise?

We've been trying to think of game show ideas. I thought of doing a Whose Line Is It Anyway game. Each of us will get with three fans. We're going to have a couple of special guests on the boat who could host it. They can give each team a scenario, and we have to do the improv, whether it's a song or something else. So it's just like the show. Whichever team wins will receive some kind of prize. The best thing is nobody loses. There will be no losers on the boat. If we do a game show, everybody wins. We're thinking of doing something like Pictionary. There are so many ideas being stirred up in the pot right now. I'm at @skulleeroz on Twitter, and I'd love to throw it out to the fans to come up with some cool ideas of what they want to see and do. This is all about the fans. If they can come up with some cool ideas, who knows?!

You've always been so connected to your fans, and this is the ultimate Backstreet Boys experience.

Exactly! It really is. We do sound check parties before every show where we'll take requests and do two or three songs. Then, we'll do a Q&A and photos. We get to interact with the fans but not on a level as grand as the BSB Cruise. You're really interacting with the fans by going to their rooms hanging out and taking pictures. We'll host a club night. I brought a bunch of fans in to play blackjack. We had the idea of doing individual events too. Maybe I'll teach fans how to play poker. Howie might do a wine or tequila tasting. Nick might take them down to the beach and do some aerobics or workout stuff. Brian may take them jet-skiing. We're trying to cater to every fan on the boat individually and as a group. We're really going to go there this time round.

Did you ever go on a cruise you were personally stoked about?

You know what? The BSB Cruise last year was my very first cruise ship. I'd never been on a cruise ship before in my life. I'm not a big "boat guy" [Laughs]. I get seasick really easily, but I actually managed very well on the boat. Except when I got off the boat, I still had the bends thing going on like I couldn't walk straight for a couple days. It's an experience. For my mom's 60th, my parents really want to take a week-long cruise ship to Alaska, and I'm looking forward to that. I think we're going to do that next year.

How has NKOTBSB been?

It's been awesome! The tour has been going great with all of these sold out shows. The fan response has been unbelievable. There's so much love for both of these groups. It's really been cool to see both generations of fans merge together every show to become like this superfan [Laughs]. It's cool to see New Kids fans rocking New Kids shirts singing Backstreet Boys songs and vice versa. We have a moment in our set where we sing "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and we bring four fans on stage and serenade them. A couple of nights, I've grabbed girls who are in full-on New Kids gear from head-to-toe and they're having a blast singing along. It's a great show. It's two hours of nonstop hits, and the nine of us are having a blast out here. We're hopping on each other's buses, hanging out, and playing video games. Everyone wants to be on my bus because I've got all the toys. I've got ten RC cars, a Segway, and a BMX bike. We have XBOX so we're always playing Madden or NHL. The two who hang out with me the most are Donnie Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre. Joe just randomly shows up on my bus whenever he wants unannounced. I think it's hilarious. Donnie and I go play golf whenever we get the chance.

What's next for you in terms of new music?

We've taken a couple of meetings with some different producers. We're gearing up to go back in the studio in the fall to make the next Backstreet Boys record. We've got some great surprises for that record which will hopefully be announced on the cruise ship so the fans can look forward to that. We'll probably be back in the studio in mid-October. We're hoping to have a single out next spring and drop the album in the summer of 2012.

What concert do you remember most from your childhood?

Probably, the best summer concert I ever saw—and I know it was the summer time because I was out of school—was The Victory Tour with The Jackson Five at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. I was about six-years-old. I'll never forget the show because my mom's company rented a Greyhound bus and drove us and all of her co-workers to the concert. One of my mom's co-workers was pregnant. She went to use the restroom on the bus, and the door got locked and she couldn't get it open. On the back of the bus, there was a triangular window. They ended up shoving me through the window after the concert to unlock the door to let her out. It was an interesting experience for me [Laughs]. It was pretty awesome. It was a great show from start to finish. I think I might've fallen asleep once because I was young and tired. That's been the highlight. I've seen quite a few concerts since then. I'd say a close second would be The Rascal Flatts concert I saw in Las Vegas.

[source: artistdirect]

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AJ McLean -- When the Ship Hits the Fan

A.J. McLean is ready to ship out for another Backstreet Boys Carnival Cruise -- which begs two questions: Are cruises now cool ... and if the ship goes down, does the band keep playing?

[http://www.tmz.com]

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BSB Cruise 2010

Some nice shots of AJ during the BSB Cruise 2010.

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More On Backstreet Boy AJ McLean's Drug Problem

Causing the band problems on tour...

According to TMZ, Backstreet Boy AJ McLean's drug abuse problems had gotten so bad in recent months that staffers on the band's tour threatened to quit if he didn't get help.

In fact, AJ stayed so wasted on the Backstreet Boys cruise last month, several passengers filed complaints and even asked for a refund. A cruise staffer says AJ and his group acted like "drunken fools" for the entire five-day trip.

The cruise wasn't the end of it though, and AJ's bad behavior continued into rehearsals for their upcoming tour. McLean was acting so bad that several people there were also "ready to quit."

As we reported, AJ checked into rehab earlier this week.  

[411mania]

Note from AJ McLean News 

AJ said he went into rehab for personal reasons. So we shouldn't believe everything the press publishes / other people say about it as far as AJ doesn't give a clear statement why he went into rehab. We just should be supportive & glad that he knows about his addiction & that he needs help.

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Backstreet Boys threaten to jump ship if A.J. McLean doesn’t get help

HollywoodNews.com: It looks like the Backstreet Boys and their reunion may not last for too long if A.J. McLean doesn’t get his act together soon. For a while, he has struggled with substance abuse issues, and it looks like they are only getting worse with every outing.

Apparently, on a recent cruise last month, he was so wasted that he got all “rowdy” on a Backstreet Boys fan that prompted many passengers to complain, reports TMZ. Now, the ones very close to him, including his bandmates, are threatening to walk if he doesn’t get help and beat his addiction. Sources close to the singer report that he’s getting so difficult to work with that multiple people are “ready to quit.”

Since then, A.J. has checked himself into rehab and insists he’ll be ready in time for the tour, but only time will tell if he takes the rehab seriously.

[hollywoodnews]

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A.J. McLean -- The Downward Spiral

A.J. McLean's issues with substance abuse have been the source of MAJOR problems in the past several months ... and it got so bad, that staffers on the Backstreet Boys' tour threatened to walk if he didn't get help.

TMZ has learned A.J. -- who's struggled with abuse for years -- was so hammered and rowdy on a BB fan cruise last month, that several passengers lodged complaints ... with some even demanding a refund. 

One cruise staffer tells us  A.J. and his crew acted like "drunken fools" for the entire five-day trip.

But after the cruise, the abuse continued ... and more people in his life threatened to jump ship.

Sources close to the singer tell us A.J. became so difficult to work with during rehearsals for the upcoming BB tour that multiple people were "ready to quit."

Fortunately, A.J. decided to check himself into rehab a few days ago -- but he insists he'll be ready to go for his upcoming tour.

[tmz.com]

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BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song 'Don't Turn Out The Lights' - Brian Littrell and AJ McLean preview track on Backstreet Boys cruise.

The New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys

NKOTBSB fans have a lot to look forward to in 2011. The guys have announced they'll be hitting the road for a tour, and now comes a little preview of a song the groups recorded together. On Monday (December 20), Perez Hilton posted a video of the Backstreet Boys debuting "Don't Turn Out the Lights" for fans during their cruise earlier this month.

"A song by NKOTBSB," AJ McLean told the room of screaming fans, with Brian Littrell by his side. "I'm gonna tell you guys, 'Don't turn out the lights now.' Press play."

The up-tempo jam features vocals from McLean, Littrell and Jordan Knight about still being in love with someone. The guys sing, "I know we haven't been getting along/ I don't want to say goodbye/ Memories come flooding back/ I love you like that/ We can get it back again/ Don't turn out the lights now."
After cutting off the song early, McLean explained, "We can't play the whole thing, just 'cause with the tour coming up. It's a sample."

Despite pressure from both McLean and Littrell, their lawyer refused to let them play the sample again. An official release date or other information about the track was not available.
Back in November, all nine members of NKOTBSB teased a possible collaboration of new material, and not just mash-ups, in an interview they gave shortly after .

"It's tough getting these guys in the studio, these young cats," Joey McIntyre shared. " Well, it's honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions."

[mtv news ; Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images]

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BSB Cruise 2010 - Review

Getting in the boat

I decided to wake up and take a walk on Miami Beach before heading out to the Port of Miami to board Carnival Destiny, the Backstreet Boys cruise. The weather was bad for the beach, cold, cloudy, windy and raining a little bit but I still took a short walk. After checking out at the hotel I headed to the Port of Miami, on my way there I was able to see the boat I was boarding. I arrived early so the lines for boarding weren’t too bad although the process was a little slow, I got early on the boat to explore around while everyone was still boarding, I even saw Justin and other BSB staff going to the level 7, so I knew where to look for the BSB rooms right away.

I also went to do the check-in for the Backstreet Boys stuff and receive my tickets and the wristband for access to most events of the BSBCruise. Supposedly the seat assignments were given based on the time of reservation although I heard some comments doubting it based on fans who reserved late but still got floor tickets. I got first row and center on the first floor, it wasn’t bad because I could see the stage pretty well since the theater wasn’t too big but it wasn’t floor area. I also got my beach party ticket and a copy of the itinerary.

The cabins were not available until a little later so I couldn’t go immediately to check it out and start decorating my door and instead took some time to explore all the floors and check out the places where the BSB events were going to happen. As soon as the cabins were available I checked mine and started decorating the door with the stuff I carried on with me, but then had to wait until they delivered my baggage to finish it up. I spent time around the boat and checking some normal cruise events while it was time for the emergency drill. A little after the emergency drill, it was time to sail and for the BSB events to begin, goodbye Miami, hello Backstreet fun!

Everybody feud and She’s a Dream dating game

It was great that they did have the stage for the games like it was real with board, buttons and everything. Jen was the host and, after welcoming everyone, the Everybody feud game started. It was the boys against the girls (fans). Four lucky fans were called out to get up in the stage and compete against the boys trying to come up with the most popular answers the fans gave to the questions to gain points. Unfortunately  I wasn’t selected to pass and they didn’t make it clear how they selected the girls, apparently some got there because they asked Jen and others where selected by the staff, which is a little bit unfair because not everyone gets the same chance of being selected, they should have selected seat numbers out of a bowl of something to make it completely random and give everyone the same opportunity.

The boys were awesome but the game was a little bit of order because they never explained the rules to everyone (or applied them). The boys were winning after the second round but Nick decided to tie things up at some point, so at the end the fans ”won” and each one of them got (I believe) a tote bag with an autographed towel, but most importantly a hug from the boys and pictures with them.

They only did 4 questions on the game which brought interesting and very funny answers: Name something that Howie is embarrassed to admit he has worn, name something Brian might bring on tour with him, name something that Nick does to pass the time at the venue or on the tour bus, and if not a musician, what other career path would AJ have chosen.

After a little break to change stages and to find AJ (who went to smoke) it was time for the dating game, again very close to the real show. Three girls were “randomly” selected for a Backstreet Boy, then the boy asked 3 questions to all of them and got to choose their dream girl based on the answers. All the boys passed and the lucky winners won a serenade of their BSB during the concert while the others received a rose and took a photo with their boy.

The game went very long because some of the girls weren’t giving answers right away and stuff but in the end it was really funny see the boys playing and Brian getting embarrassed to ask one of his questions and conducting part of the show with Howie.

The first one to participate was AJ asking: what is the last movie that made you cry, get up and show the audience your best Backstreet choreography, wand hat is your best feature. Then came Brian asking: if you have to give yourself a nickname what nickname would you give yourself and why,  what is your favorite position, and if you won the lottery what would you do with the money. Afterwards came Howie to ask: what is your best pick up line, what backstreet song best describes your life and why, and what is your treasured possession and why. Finally it was Nick’s turn to ask: if you were an alien and you could abduct anyone on Earth except me or the other backstreet boys who would it be and why, if you would describe yourself as an animal what animal would you be and why, and where is the weirdest place you’ve ever kissed someone.

Welcome aboard party and dinner

After the games it was time for the welcome aboard party in the deck with drinks paid by the Backstreet Boys. All of them were there saying hi and animating the party from above along with their families and friends, even Baylee was there running around with his captain hat. And AJ removed his shirt to be the first shirtless BSB on the cruise!

When we got to our rooms some gift bags were waiting for us with some stuff for the parties, gifts and a rubber ducky. Whoever got the golden rubber ducky was the lucky winner to be front row on the show in the boat. I didn’t win but the bag included a BSBCruise poster, a NKOTBSB poster, two BSB heart temporary tattoos, the rubber ducky, black and blue bubble bottles, beads, and glow sticks. At this time I got finally the oportunity to finish decorating my door.

After some time in the party it was dinner time so the party was interrupted and everyone went to dinner. Fans were divided in two different dinning rooms. I didn’t knew that I was on the same one where the BSB were because I was sited on the second floor and never noticed. The good thing about being alone on the cruise is that I got a chance to meet a lot of different fans throughout the cruise, specially during dinner. This night I met a girl and his mom, turns out the mom was the big fan and the daughter was the companion and not the other way as I thought. Of course there are all types of fans and in the cruise you could find how I’m not the craziest BSB fan and how everyone is a crazy fan in their own way. For example, this mom (sorry I’m so bad with names) was known as the backstreet girl at work because she wears a different BSB t-shirt to work every day of the year! Yes, she has hundreds of different backstreet boys t-shirts she has collected over the years and she wears them everyday, even her daughter was amazed when she saw her in something hat wasn’t a BSB  t-shirt because she even had big t-shirts converted into dresses for some occasions! When we finished dinner we went because we were tired, so bad I left early because later on I discovered that I missed the waiters and the BSB dancing during dinner on pedestals that day 

International Luv night

A little later was time for the first theme party: the international luv night with all the fans dressing their country colors and flags. Since it was on the deck fans already knew where the boys would come out so it was crazy. I was ready on the one of the sides of the deck on the same floor where the guys were, I could only see them from the side in there but I was closer, specially if they came by to stretch hands or something.

I have always wondered how some girls get lucky enough to be in the VIP area of the parties and closer to the boys.  I always guessed  that it was a matter of knowing the right people or moving influences or a lot of luck. I still can’t believe it but that night the right person and luck found me! I was just standing in the crowd trying to get shots of the party host AJ when someone came to me, set me aside and told me he had a wristband for me to get into the VIP area, he gave it to me and told me where to go. Turns out he was Hall, “the” guy from Rose tours, which was the company organizing the cruise.

I was one of the first fans to get into the VIP area and I couldn’t believe it! I was closer to the boys with some selected fans and a free bar. For the first time ever I was the one passing all the fans just by showing my VIP wristband and having the bodyguard let me in!, it was incredible and it was just the beginning of an even more incredible night to come. After being mad for not being selected for the games or winning the golden ducky the night was getting better.

The party was packed and the view was amazing, seeing all the crowd below and the boys so close, specially when they came by the bar to order drinks or chat with the fans. All of them were there with their couples and some friends. AJ was using a Scottish skirt, Brian and Leighanne had USA sparkly costumes and Nick and Howie dressed more normal. The other girls (Leigh, Rochelle and Lauren) weren’t that visible to the crowd because decided to stay more in the lounge area than on the balcony cheering the party like Leighanne.

At one point Nick decided he wanted to go down to party with everyone, so Howie and Nick (and their bodyguards of course) passed right by the VIP fans to go downstairs to the crowd and they stayed a little bit in one of the bars before coming back up to the safety and calmness of their private section where no fans were allowed besides the VIP fans in the contiguous area. Oh and they returned with red wigs on  them haha.

Later on AJ did the same with Nick on the other side of the crowd and also went down for a little bit. Oh, and he removed his t-shirt again. It seems like they enjoy making fans go totally crazy . Brian and Leighanne also took the adventure of passing by the crowd downstairs, which was great because they went down on the opposite side of the VIP area and went back up on our side and stayed for a bit chatting and taking pictures.

At some point Brian accepted taking photos with fans, including me. What more could I ask than having such an awesome picture with Brian? Well, more battery! My camera battery was dying and I left the other ones at my cabin and turns out that my dream night didn’t ended there because the party was still on and just to get even better. Nick started passing drinks to the fans on the VIP area and then his beautiful girlfriend, Lauren came to tell us that she wanted to take 10 lucky fans to the after party with Nick and her, she took a marker and told us Nick was going to pick the girls by putting a mark on the hands.

Not much time passed by before Nick and Lauren were back with the marker and they did what she promised, Nick started marking fans hands, I couldn’t believe I was right there and he picked me among the 10 super lucky fans! We were allowed to enter with them, we we’re now the VIP’s of the VIP’s and couldn’t believe it. And I was so mad with myself for not bringing extra batteries thinking I wouldn’t have much to take pictures of. Now I had to save it for special ones! The good side of it is that I forgot about taking pictures and just enjoyed that moment to the maximum. Plus there were hundreds of other cameras there including the official one so hopefully there would be pictures or videos of me with the boys somewhere.

It was almost 1 am and Howie was already gone but the others were still partying and enjoying the night. When we first entered the area where the boys were, we couldn’t believe it, we (the lucky fans) looked into each other with eyes full of emotion and happiness screaming “I can’t believe it!”. AJ was just steps far from us with nothing (not even bodyguards) between him and us, and he was shirtless animating the party and dancing. Then Lauren told us to go and dance with AJ, we didn’t think it twice before doing so. Suddenly I was there, dancing with AJ on the stage in front of hundreds of fans and cameras. Who would have thought of that? Me dancing? I usually don’t dance at all! but that night the emotion was enough and even more effective than alcohol to make me dance.

When AJ noticed he suddenly had dancers behind him he joined us and soon enough Brian and Leighanne came to dance too! I was dancing with Brian and following each other steps! It was amazing and I took the chance for another picture with him, this time I took his hat off to put it on me and I gave him my green scarf for the picture. He told me the hat was for his kid and I told him not to worry because it was just for the photo. And after the photo I returned his hat and he gave me my scarf back.

AJ was went downstairs with the fans again and Nick came to dance a little bit. I never had a chance to take a picture with Nick so I grabbed him and asked him to take a picture with me. He said he had to go downstairs and I insisted telling him it would only take 3 seconds but he refused , he spoke to my ear saying we’re going to spend the night together. And when the other fan took the picture he was already giving his back to the camera and I was still missing my picture with him, angry that he refused to take it but crazy of what he told me and with hope that later on I would have the chance to finally have my picture with him.

The party was almost over, Brian and Leighanne said goodbye and left. Nick and AJ were downstairs with the fans and the 10 lucky fans, including me, were dancing happily on the stage and once in a while looking to each other to say “I can’t believe it! this is awesome!”. Then Lauren told us they were about to go before everyone left so we should keep an eye to follow them when the time came.

The night was so far unbelievable and we were about to go to the after party with Nick and his girlfriend! But the party was over, many fans already left and most of the boys too. The first day of the cruise was amazing and surpassed my expectations by far. What would happen in the after party and how would it be? I‘ll leave that for another post

For the original review >>> Click Here <<<

[Review & photos by analy3.wordpress.com]

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BSB Cruise 2010

Some more Photos from the Backstreet Boys Cruise 2010

For More from the other guys Click Here

[Emmamour]

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BSB Cruise 2010

+6 Photos of AJ during the BSB Cruise 2010

For More From The Other Guys >>> Click Here

[shared by bsbfreak ; taken by LucyK_ ; patsalvarez]

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AJ McLean HAVE IT ALL

Update on AJ's Solo Album!!! He said @ the BSB Cruise that his solo album 'HAVE IT ALL' will be released in February 2011 worldwide.




[source: analy_ttrell] 

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AJ McLean HAVE IT ALL

Update on AJ's Solo Album!!! He said @ the BSB Cruise that his solo album 'HAVE IT ALL' will be released in February 2011 worldwide.




[source: analy_ttrell] 

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