Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been battling Lyme disease, describing the condition as “relentlessly debilitating” both mentally and physically. The 44-year-old singer shared his diagnosis in an emotional Instagram statement on Thursday, as he marked the end of his Forget Tomorrow world tour.
Timberlake explained that he has been suffering from a “massive amount of nerve pain”, “crazy fatigue” and “sickness” while performing, after facing criticism for cancelling shows and delivering lacklustre performances. He said he was initially shocked by the diagnosis but decided to continue touring because the joy of performing outweighed the stress on his body.
Lyme disease is a serious illness usually contracted from a tick bite, causing symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. It can last for months or years but is treatable with antibiotics. Timberlake joins other musicians like Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, and Shania Twain who have publicly shared their struggles with the disease.
The former *NSYNC star cancelled and postponed multiple shows during his tour, citing health issues including bronchitis, laryngitis, and flu. Some fans criticised the last-minute cancellations, but others defended him. Timberlake thanked his wife Jessica Biel and their two sons for their support, saying “nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love”.
