Justin Timberlake has revealed his recent diagnosis of Lyme disease, sharing the news with fans via an Instagram post on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The singer and actor, 44, disclosed that he has been "battling some health issues" and that the diagnosis has shed light on what he's been facing behind the scenes.

Timberlake's announcement comes as he concludes his two-year "Forget Tomorrow World Tour," which wrapped up in Turkey on Wednesday. The tour, comprising 41 shows, grossed $73.2 million as of late May, placing Timberlake in the 10th spot on Billboard's midyear Boxscore report of touring artists. However, the latter part of the tour saw some criticism regarding Timberlake's performance energy.

In his Instagram post, Timberlake addressed these concerns, explaining that he was experiencing "a massive amount of nerve pain" and "crazy fatigue or sickness" while on stage. He stated that receiving the Lyme disease diagnosis helped him understand the reasons behind these struggles. Despite the challenges, Timberlake emphasized that he chose to continue touring because the joy of performing outweighed the physical stress he was experiencing. "I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling," he wrote.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and a characteristic rash. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe complications affecting the heart, joints, and nervous system. While antibiotics can often treat the disease, some individuals may experience long-term, debilitating symptoms.

Timberlake's decision to share his diagnosis was motivated by a desire for transparency. "I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself," he admitted. "But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted". He also expressed his hope that by speaking out, he could raise awareness about the realities of living with Lyme disease, which he described as "relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically".

Timberlake is not the first celebrity to publicly discuss their experience with Lyme disease. Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, and Shania Twain have also shared their struggles with the illness. Shania Twain, for example, recounted how she was bitten by a tick and experienced dizziness and instability while touring. Justin Bieber also spoke out about his Lyme disease diagnosis in response to public speculation about his health and appearance.

Timberlake's openness about his diagnosis has been met with an outpouring of support from fans. Many have expressed their appreciation for his transparency and offered words of encouragement. One fan wrote, "You are so loved, and we'll be here supporting whatever you decide to do next," while another added, "Justin you are so appreciated. Thank you for showing up for us time and time again".