Former Boyz II Men member Michael McCary gave a cathartic interview to Iyanla Vanzant this weekend, giving the host the true reason he left the popular group.

The 44-year-old singer revealed for the first time that he's battled multiple sclerosis for nearly 20 years, and his diagnosis was the reason for his departure from the R&B collective. However, as McCary tells it, the decision to leave wasn't his. Rather, he was forced out by the other members and is resentful for the way he was treated to this day.

“When I first saw of the ailments start to happen, it was like little back spasms at first and it would get stronger and stronger,” said McCary. “Once I was about 22, it started going full scale.”

Doctors told McCary that the nerve damage in his back could potentially leave him paralyzed. McCary claims that after working “300 days out of every year for over 15 years,” the group dumped him when the diagnosis came to light.

“I want to get over the hurt and abandonment that I feel from the group that I’ve been with for so long and gave my life to,” he said. “I want to be able to go in a room with them and not feel like I want to choke them.”
Watch the full interview below:

See Boyz II Men perform at last year's Soul Train Awards above.