Justin Timberlake is opening up about a “debilitating” medical issue.
The singer, 44, revealed he has been “battling some health issues” and was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
“If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday, July 31. “When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
Timberlake said that the diagnosis led him to consider whether to stop touring, but he “decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.” He added, “I’m so glad I kept going.”
The Grammy winner shared the revelation as he reflected on the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which kicked off in 2024. He described the tour as the “most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience.”
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In his post, Timberlake also wrote that he is a “pretty private person” and was “reluctant to talk about” his health issues because he “was always raised to keep something like this to yourself.” But he said he is “trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted” and wants to “do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”
Timberlake recently faced backlash on social media as some fans argued he had been delivering subpar performances on stage.
The “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” singer had previously canceled or postponed some concerts on his tour for health reasons. In February, he scrapped a show in Columbus, Ohio, shortly before it was set to start and said he was battling the flu. “You guys. I’m heartbroken,” he said at the time. Timberlake also postponed a series of concerts in October, explaining, “I haven’t been feeling great the last few shows and turns out I have bronchitis and laryngitis.”
Nervous about a tick bite? Here’s what to know about Lyme disease from symptoms to treatment
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an “illness caused by borrelia bacteria” that humans typically get from a tick bite, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What is Lyme disease? Justin Timberlake shares ‘debilitating’ diagnosis
“Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. “These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis.”
Other celebrities who have previously opened up about battling Lyme disease include Justin Bieber and Amy Schumer. In 2020, Schumer asked her followers on Instagram, “Anyone get LYME this summer? I got it and I’m on doxycycline. I have maybe had it for years.”
Avril Lavigne also revealed to People magazine in 2015 that she was “bedridden for five months” while battling Lyme disease. “I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t move,” she said at the time. “I thought I was dying.” The singer continued, “There were definitely times I couldn’t shower for a full week because I could barely stand. It felt like having all your life sucked out of you.”
Contributing: Nicole Fallert
This story has been updated to include additional information.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Timberlake Lyme disease diagnosis revealed
