Justin Timberlake has disclosed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease during his recent Forget Tomorrow tour, calling the illness “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.” The pop star and former NSYNC frontman shared the news on Instagram Thursday as he marked the conclusion of his tour in Turkey.
Despite the toll the disease took on him, Timberlake said he chose to continue performing. “I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause a range of symptoms including fatigue, fever, joint pain, and neurological issues. It is typically transmitted through bites from infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics are essential to avoid long-term complications.
Throughout the tour, Timberlake faced several health setbacks. He postponed and canceled multiple shows in the U.S. due to bronchitis, laryngitis, and the flu. The final concert of the U.S. leg, scheduled in Ohio, was ultimately canceled due to illness.
Timberlake also reflected emotionally on his future as a performer. “I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage,” he admitted, “but I’ll always cherish this run—and all of them before. It’s been the stuff of legend for me.”
He ended his heartfelt message by thanking his wife, actress Jessica Biel, and their two sons, Silas and Phin: “Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way.”
In 2024, Timberlake also made headlines for pleading guilty to a DWI charge in New York’s Hamptons. As part of his plea deal, he delivered a public service message urging people not to drive after drinking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 476,000 Americans are treated for Lyme disease each year. Early symptoms may include a bull’s-eye-shaped rash, though not all cases present this way. If left untreated, the disease can lead to severe complications affecting the heart, joints, and nervous system. Some individuals also report persistent symptoms even after completing treatment.
