Justin Timberlake reveals the “debilitating” Lyme disease diagnosis – nationwide

On his last day of tomorrow's forgotten world tour, Justin Timberlake revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease while he was on the road.

“Well, I really wanted to write something as I've finished these two incredible years and look forward to the future,” he said in a long Instagram post Thursday.

“It's not easy to try and contextualize the tour whirlwind, but I'll give it a try…” he continued.

“I've struggled with a few health issues and have been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I'm not saying this feels bad for me – but to shed some light on my backstage.”

The 44-year-old singer describes the disease, which is passed down to humans through the bite of an infected mites, and can lead to severe pain and fatigue if it is “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

His post was accompanied by a series of photos from 24 months of stints around the world, beginning in April 2024 and taking him everywhere from Buenos Aires to Istanbul.

He said that the initial diagnosis was a surprise but provided an explanation for the unusual physical struggles he had experienced on stage.

Breaking the national news

For news that affects Canada and the world, sign up to break news alerts delivered directly when they occur.

“When I was first diagnosed, I was certainly shocked, but at least I could understand why I was on stage and I was feeling a lot of neuralgia or just crazy fatigue or illness,” Timberlake explained, adding that at one point he wasn't sure if he could continue on tour.

“I have decided to bring me the joy of far surpassing the fleeting stress my body feels. I am so glad that you continued.”

2:27
Risk of Lyme Disease

Previous Video

Next video

Timberlake, who is married to actor Jessica Biel, 43, shares two sons, Silas, 10 and Phineas, 4, and revealed that she is not sure if it is correct to publicly disclose the diagnosis.

“I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep myself this way, but I'm trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they don't get misunderstood,” he wrote.

Trend now

In February he was forced to cancel a show a few hours ago that was supposed to start for health reasons.

“Everyone, I'm heartbroken. I have to cancel tonight's show,” he wrote on Instagram.

Time Burlake concluded his post by thanking his tour crew for being a “beautiful family away from home” before providing support to others with Lyme disease and spreading hope to fans.

“Your signs, messages, DIY t-shirts have made me laugh and smile many times, and I'm listening and watching you all sing and watching these songs for words at the top of your lungs. You've made my dream come true.”

“Jess, Cyrus, Finn… there's nothing stronger than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I'm on the way…”

Timberlake performed the final show of his tour in Paris on July 20th.

Timberlake is not the only famous person diagnosed with Lyme disease. In 2020, singer Justin Bieber revealed that he had been ill.

fellow Canadians Shania Twain and Avril Lavigne were also diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Canada's Lyme Disease Foundation says infections are on the rise. The actual number could be much higher as not all cases have been diagnosed and reported.

Previous ones are treated for Lyme disease, which is better, but the symptoms vary from person to person, making diagnosis difficult. The early symptoms of Lyme disease can be similar to the flu or cold. You may also have a “bullseye” type rash, but it does not appear in all diagnosed people. If you experience symptoms of Lyme disease, be sure to contact your doctor.

Symptoms are countless, but some include severe fatigue, double or blurry vision, ambiguous hearing, diarrhea, unexplained shaking, or trembling and memory loss.

Curator Recommendations

&Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.