Justin Timberlake is speaking out about his health following the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow world tour.
The “Suit & Tie” singer, 44, revealed on his Instagram Story on Thursday that he’d been privately battling health issues throughout the year-plus tour, including living with Lyme disease.
“As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person, but as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour — I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me,” Timberlake wrote. “Among other things, 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.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is an illness that people often catch by being bitten by a tick carrying borrelia bacteria while spending time in grassy or wooded areas. While symptoms vary, they typically include fatigue, joint stiffness, rashes, and muscle aches and pains.
Justin Timberlake/Instagram
Justin Timberlake on Instagram
“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,” Timberlake wrote. “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.”
The diagnosis left the 10-time Grammy winner at an unexpected crossroads in his career. “I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or keep going and figure it out,” he explained. “I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.”
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Now, he’s “so glad I kept going” and completed the tour on his own terms.
“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,” Timberlake said. “I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself, but I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.”
Timberlake’s statement comes after he was widely criticized online by fans who claimed that he wasn’t singing consistently throughout his shows, with various clips posted on social media featuring him asking the audience to sing portions of his hits like “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Rock Your Body,” and “Mirrors.”
Timberlake noted that he chose to share his diagnosis “with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected,” adding, “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”
He went on to thank all the fans who attended the tour, as well as his crew, band, singers, and dancers. “I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage but I’ll always cherish this run and all of them before,” he wrote. “It’s been the stuff of legend for me.”
Timberlake concluded his message with a note to his, wife Jessica Biel, and their two children, Silas and Phineas. “Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love,” he said. “You are my heart and home. I’m on my way.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Justin Timberlake performs at Rogers Arena
Timberlake isn’t the first artist to come forward with their Lyme disease diagnosis. Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, and Justin Bieber are just a few of the other musicians who have spoken about how the disease has affected them.
Twain revealed in her 2022 documentary Not Just a Girl that she experienced dizzy spells on stage prior to receiving her own Lyme disease diagnosis.
“My symptoms were quite scary because before I was diagnosed, I was on stage very dizzy. I was losing my balance. I was afraid I was going to fall off the stage,” she said, per ABC News. “I was having these very, very, very millisecond blackouts, but regularly, every minute or every 30 seconds.”
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