Justin Timberlake opens up about secret Lyme disease diagnosis

Music superstar Justin Timberlake, 44, has revealed he has secretly been battling a “shock” diagnosis.

Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.

The singer, 44, told fans about his “debilitating” health struggle in a statement posted on Instagram Thursday.

“Well, as these two incredible years come to an end and I look forward to the future, I wanted to write something from the heart. It’s not an easy task to try to contextualize the whirlwind of touring –– but, I will try,” he began, referencing his Forget Tomorrow tour, which wrapped Wednesday.

“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,” Timberlake explained.

Justin Timberlake revealed his diagnosis with Lyme disease in a lengthy social media post. Picture: Invision/AP

He continued: “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 said that he was “shocked” when he learned of his diagnosis.
“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,” he said of his symptoms.
He noted he “was faced with a personal decision” to potentially quit his tour.
“I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,” he wrote. “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,” Timberlake told his fans.
“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.”

Justin Timberlake performs at the Estereo Picnic music festival in Bogota, Colombia, in March. Picture: AP

The Grammy winner concluded his message: “Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”

Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, with whom he has sons Silas, 10, and Phineas, 5, supported her husband by liking his post and sharing it on her Instagram Story.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is an illness caused by Borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria.

Other celebrities who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease include Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Shania Twain, Riley Keough, Debbie Gibson, Amy Schumer and Yolanda and Bella Hadid.

Timberlake and his wife actress Jessica Biel. Picture: AFP

The singer’s recent tour performances have come under scrutiny from fans.

Timberlake’s health news comes after he faced backlash on his tour for lackluster performances.

Last week, fans accused Timberlake of barely singing onstage at the Electric Castle festival in Romania.

Fan videos showed the musician having the crowd sing the majority of his 2016 hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” as he frolicked around the stage in the rain.

The *NSYNC alum also faced backlash in February for abruptly cancelling his final tour stop in Ohio after coming down with the flu.
The “Mirrors” singer said he was “heartbroken” that he had to cancel the concert and promised refunds, but fans still slammed him for the last-minute notice.

Timberlake’s tour started in April 2024 — two months before he was arrested for suspicion of DWI in Sag Harbor, Long Island.
In September, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while ability impaired.

- This story originally appeared in The New York Post

Can Lyme disease go away on its own?

According to Havard Health, people often recover from Lyme disease within two to six weeks even without antibiotics, as the body’s immune system attacks the infection - although athritis related symptoms sometimes return.

Is there Lyme disease in Australia?

According to health direct, scientists have not found the bacteria that carries Lyme disease in Australian ticks, meaning it is unlikely to catch the disease in Australia.

The Australian Government does not support the diagnosis of locally acquired Lyme disease.

The Department of Health recognises a group of people that experience debilitating symptom complexes that some people attribute to ticks (DSCATT).

Australian ticks can cause other diseases such as Australian Spotted Fever, Q-Fever, FLinders Island Spotted Fever, and Queensland tick typhus, according to health direct.

Can you fully recover from Lyme disease?

People often fully recover from Lyme disease, as antibiotics are available to treat the infection, according to Havard Health. However, some have reported chronic symptoms.

What does Lyme disease do to a person?

The most common initial symtom is a commonly flat, red rash that spreads from the site of the tick bite with a central clear area which does not itch or hurt, according to Havard Health.

Other symptoms can include fever, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, headache and a stiff neck.

In more severe cases and later stages, Lyme disease can affect the nervous system, the heart, and joints, according to healthdirect.

The government health site also states that some people believe ‘chronic Lyme disease’ exists in Australia, however this is disputed as there is a lack of evidence.

Is Lyme disease curable?

Lyme disease is curable as antibiotics usually resolve the issue, however some rare cases have reported chronic symptoms - the reason for which is unknown as they often do not present evidence of an active Lyme disease infection, according to Havard Health.

Can Lyme disease kill you?

Lyme disease is rarely fatal as a course of antibiotics will resolve most common symptoms. However, if left untreated, the disease can cause infection in the brain and membranes surrounding the brain and infection in or around the heart, according to NSW Health.

Originally published as Justin Timberlake opens up about secret Lyme disease diagnosis