Justin Timberlake has revealed his diagnosis with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. The announcement, made via an Instagram post on Thursday, July 31, 2025, comes as the 44-year-old singer concludes his two-year "Forget Tomorrow World Tour".
In his post, Timberlake described the disease as "relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically". He shared that he had been "battling some health issues" and wanted to shed light on what he had been facing behind the scenes. "When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure," Timberlake wrote. "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 also mentioned experiencing a "massive amount of nerve pain" due to the illness.
Timberlake's revelation follows criticism of his performances during the latter part of his tour. Some fans had described his performances as lackluster, with clips circulating online showing him taking long breaks from singing and relying on the audience to continue the lyrics. Timberlake addressed these concerns, explaining that he had faced a personal decision: to stop touring or to keep going and figure it out. He decided that "the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling". He added, "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...I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted". Earlier in the tour, Timberlake had to cancel or postpone shows due to a back injury, bronchitis and laryngitis, and an ankle injury.
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria often carried by ticks and can cause symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications, including damage to the tissues, joints, and immune system. Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment are important to prevent the illness from getting worse.
Timberlake is not the first celebrity to publicly share their experience with Lyme disease. Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, and Shania Twain have also revealed their struggles with the illness. In 2023, supermodel Bella Hadid shared that she was recovering from a long battle with Lyme disease.
Timberlake's tour concluded in Paris on July 20 and grossed $73.2 million across 41 shows as of late May, placing him in the 10th spot on Billboard's midyear Boxscore report of touring artists.
In addition to his Lyme disease diagnosis, Timberlake faced legal issues last year when he was arrested for drunk driving in New York. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was ordered to do community service.
Timberlake's Instagram post also expressed gratitude to his fans, writing, "You have made my dreams come true...To Jess, Silas, and Phin… nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I'm on my way…".
