Justin Timberlake goes public with ‘debilitating’ secret battle

Justin Timberlake has released a lengthy public statement detailing his secret battle with a “debilitating” illness.

Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with “debilitating” Lyme disease.

The singer made the health admission in a lengthy Instagram statement today while reflecting on his Forget Tomorrow tour, which wrapped in Turkey this week.

“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,” the 44-year-old told his followers.

Timberlake noted that Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection spread by ticks, “can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

Timberlake says he’s been battling the effects of a debilitating illness during this tour. Picture: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

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Being diagnosed helped the “shocked” Grammy winner understand “why [he] would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

He continued, “I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out.”

The former *NSYNC member ultimately decided, “The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.”

He is “so glad [he] kept going” to prove his “mental tenacity” and share “special moments” with fans.

Timberlake said he had to make a choice: “Stop touring? Or keep going and figure it out.” Picture: Amy Harris/Invision/AP

Timberlake acknowledged elsewhere in his caption that he chose to be “transparent about [his] struggles” so they would not be “misinterpreted.”

The singer, notably, has been blasted for lacklustre performances since kicking off his tour in April 2024.

In one viral video shared via TikTok last week, Timberlake strolled around the stage and engaged in occasional dance moves, rarely bringing the microphone to his mouth.

“Go on girl, give us nothing,” one social media user wrote of the compilation.

The star has copped some negativity in recent times over his “lacklustre” concert performances.

He was arrested last year for driving while drunk. Picture: AFP

One fan complained, “I get that you have a lot of concerts and are touring the world, or whatever, but you cannot be singing less than a quarter of a song.”

Additionally, Timberlake made headlines earlier this month when he was caught on camera screaming at crew members over an issue-riddled performance in England.

The songwriter’s wife, Jessica Biel, showed her support for her partner by reposting his health news to her own Story.

The couple have been married since 2012 and share two sons: Silas, 10, and Phineas, 5.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Justin Timberlake goes public with ‘debilitating’ secret battle