Justin Timberlake Discloses Health Battle

Justin Timberlake revealed he’s “been battling some health issues.”

The pop star disclosed his diagnosis with Lyme disease.

“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. 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 in an Instagram post.

“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. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” he added.

“I, myself, was diagnosed in with Lyme back in 2014. My disease was overlooked and was later found to be the reason for my health decline. It is a tough battle ahead for Justin. There’s no easy treatment and it’s almost impossible to cure if not caught early,” X user Kelly McCarty commented.

“He will have to change his lifestyle entirely. He will need to take care of his body, eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. I’ve been able to keep my disease in remission, for the most part. This is due to great independent doctors who were willing to treat me. In 2014, Lyme wasn’t recognized as a chronic disease and the CDC in 2014 said it was ‘easy to cure’ with some antibiotics,” she added.

Justin Timberlake just announced on Instagram that he has recently been diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

I, myself, was diagnosed in with Lyme back in 2014. My disease was overlooked and was later found to be the reason for my health decline.

It is a tough battle ahead for… pic.twitter.com/6r8ugKTRUi

— Kelly McCarty (formerly NONBidenary) (@KellyLMcCarty) July 31, 2025

USA TODAY shared further details:

The Grammy winner shared the revelation as he reflected on the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which kicked off in 2024. He described the tour as the “most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience.”

In his post, Timberlake also wrote that he is a “pretty private person” and was “reluctant to talk about” his health issues because he “was always raised to keep something like this to yourself.” But he said he is “trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted” and wants to “do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”

Timberlake recently faced backlash on social media as some fans argued he had been delivering subpar performances on stage.

The “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” singer had previously canceled or postponed some concerts on his tour for health reasons. In February, he scrapped a show in Columbus, Ohio, shortly before it was set to start and said he was battling the flu. “You guys. I’m heartbroken,” he said at the time. Timberlake also postponed a series of concerts in October, explaining, “I haven’t been feeling great the last few shows and turns out I have bronchitis and laryngitis.”

Justin Timberlake reveals ‘debilitating’ Lyme disease diagnosis after tour backlash https://t.co/XtB45QYrfA pic.twitter.com/hmdkjFnv7c

— New York Post (@nypost) July 31, 2025

More from the New York Post:

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’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 canceling 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.

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