Justin Timberlake opens up about Lyme disease diagnosis
Image: X
Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with 'relentlessly debilitating' Lyme disease.
The 44-year-old singer and actor disclosed the diagnosis in a statement posted on Instagram after the final show of his "Forget Tomorrow" tour, which concluded in Turkey on Wednesday, July 30.
Timberlake told fans: 'I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease – which I don't say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes.'
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by ticks, which can cause symptoms ranging from nerve pain and fatigue to cognitive difficulties and chronic illness.
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In his statement, Timberlake added the diagnosis helped explain 'why (he) would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness'.
He said: 'I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out.'
Timberlake, who first rose to fame as part of the boy band NSYNC, opted to continue.
'The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,' he said – adding: 'I'm so glad I kept going.'
He also said sharing his condition publicly was important to ensure his struggles were not 'misinterpreted', adding he was proud to prove his 'mental tenacity' during the tour, which has received mixed reviews for what some described as underwhelming performances.
Timberlake went on: 'I chose to be transparent about (my) struggles, so they would not be misinterpreted.'
The performer has sold more than 88 million records worldwide and has won ten Grammy Awards.
His latest tour began in April 2024 and included performances across Europe, North America and Asia.
He is married to 42-year-old actor Jessica Biel, with whom he shares two sons, Silas and Phineas.
Timberlake is far from the first celebrity to open up about being diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Fellow singer Avril Lavigne and model Bella Hadid have both spoken publicly about their experiences with the illness in recent years.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for the condition annually.
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The South African
21 hours ago
- The South African
Justin Timberlake's ‘debilitating' battle with Lyme disease
Sad news for JT fans… the pop star and actor is currently battling with Lyme disease. Justin took to Instagram to share his experience with the illness, describing it as 'relentlessly debilitating.' The 44-year-old star, fresh off the end of his world tour, additionally explained why it was important to finally share his story. On 31 July 2025, Justin Timberlake took to Instagram to share his reflections of the world tour he just wrapped up. He described the tour as being the most emotionally gratifying, as well as the most physically demanding experience of his life. And there's a reason. The star opened up about his battle with Lyme disease, which he described as 'relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.' He reveals that when he was first diagnosed, he found himself at a crossroads: he could either stop the tour or he could push through the pain. In the end, he chose to keep going, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to his fans. In his post on Instagram , he wrote: I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going. Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. The star went on to say that he decided to share his experience with Lyme disease in attempts to feel more connected with his fans, as well as to do his part in helping others struggling with the disease. According to Mayo Clinic , Lyme disease is an illness caused by the Borrelia bacteria, which is typically transmitted to humans through a tick bite. The disease is most commonly associated with activities where ticks are prevalent. The symptoms of Lyme disease can vary widely and often appear in stages, although some stages may overlap. In addition to that, not everyone may experience the classic early symptoms, which can make diagnosis difficult. Some symptoms to look out for include, but are not limited to: Fever Headache Extreme fatigue Muscle aches and pains Swollen lymph nodes Rashes Pain, numbness or weakness in hands or feet Painful swelling in tissues of the eye or eyelid Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics and the treatment plan depends on the stage of the infection. According to Cleveland Clinic , most people who get Lyme disease and receive treatment early will be fine. While treatment cures the disease, individuals affected may still struggle with some long-term effects. Though the disease may contribute to other serious health problems, it is rarely fatal. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
‘Relentlessly debilitating': Justin Timberlake reveals he's battling Lyme disease
Pop icon and actor Justin Timberlake has revealed he is living with Lyme disease, describing the experience as 'relentlessly debilitating mentally and physically'. The 44-year-old made the announcement in an Instagram post reflecting on the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour which wrapped up this month. 'Among other things, I've been battling health issues and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I don't say so you feel bad for me but to shed light on what I've been up against behind the scenes,' said Timberlake. Known for being private, Timberlake said he felt compelled to share his diagnosis to raise awareness and reduce stigma. 'If you've experienced the disease or know someone who has you're aware living with this can be relentlessly debilitating mentally and physically,' he said. 'When I got the diagnosis I was shocked. But at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' he said. Timberlake, who has been on tour since April 2024 performing across the globe, said he has been quietly battling the tick-borne illness. 'I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm glad I kept going,' he said. As his tour came to an emotional close, Timberlake described the experience as 'the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding and at times, grueling' chapter in his career. 'I have been doing this for 30+ years (which feels crazy to say) and have given all that I have to this. I could not have done it without my family, friends, the TN Kids, and all your support,' he said. Timberlake admitted he was reluctant to speak out about his diagnosis due to how he was raised. 'I was always taught to keep something like this to yourself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so they aren't misinterpreted,' he said. 'Sharing this with the hope we can all find a way to be more connected. I'd like to do my part to help others experiencing the disease,' he said. Timberlake joins a growing list of celebrities who have publicly battled Lyme disease including Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and Alec Baldwin. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, joint pain and a 'bull's-eye' rash that appears in most cases. While early treatment with antibiotics typically results in full recovery, the illness can become chronic or severe if left untreated, leading to ongoing fatigue, nerve pain and cognitive issues. Timberlake said he hopes his story inspires greater understanding and compassion. 'Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but I have so many special moments with all of you I will never forget.'
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Justin Timberlake opens up about Lyme disease diagnosis
Justin Timberlake has opened up about his health struggles and his battle with Lyme disease. Image: X Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with 'relentlessly debilitating' Lyme disease. The 44-year-old singer and actor disclosed the diagnosis in a statement posted on Instagram after the final show of his "Forget Tomorrow" tour, which concluded in Turkey on Wednesday, July 30. Timberlake told fans: 'I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease – which I don't say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes.' Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by ticks, which can cause symptoms ranging from nerve pain and fatigue to cognitive difficulties and chronic illness. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In his statement, Timberlake added the diagnosis helped explain 'why (he) would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness'. He said: 'I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out.' Timberlake, who first rose to fame as part of the boy band NSYNC, opted to continue. 'The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,' he said – adding: 'I'm so glad I kept going.' He also said sharing his condition publicly was important to ensure his struggles were not 'misinterpreted', adding he was proud to prove his 'mental tenacity' during the tour, which has received mixed reviews for what some described as underwhelming performances. Timberlake went on: 'I chose to be transparent about (my) struggles, so they would not be misinterpreted.' The performer has sold more than 88 million records worldwide and has won ten Grammy Awards. His latest tour began in April 2024 and included performances across Europe, North America and Asia. He is married to 42-year-old actor Jessica Biel, with whom he shares two sons, Silas and Phineas. Timberlake is far from the first celebrity to open up about being diagnosed with Lyme disease. Fellow singer Avril Lavigne and model Bella Hadid have both spoken publicly about their experiences with the illness in recent years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for the condition annually.
