Justin Timberlake, the 44-year-old singer and actor, has revealed he received a diagnosis of Lyme disease while completing his two-year Forget Tomorrow world tour.
He described the illness as causing intense nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and general illness that he endured while performing .
He shared the news on Instagram at the end of his tour, explaining that the diagnosis brought clarity to unexpected low-energy moments on stage.
Despite his health struggle, he chose to continue performing, believing the joy of being on stage outweighed the temporary physical strain .
During the tour, Timberlake faced criticism from fans and critics for what they called lacklustre performances, where he occasionally let the audience sing parts of songs.
In hindsight, he acknowledged the symptoms made those shows harder than usual .
Following his announcement, Timberlake expressed a desire to be more open about his health challenges, hoping to prevent misunderstandings and support others in similar situations .
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites. Early signs include flu-like symptoms, joint and muscle aches, fever, fatigue, and sometimes a characteristic rash.
If untreated, the disease can lead to heart, nervous system, or joint complications.
Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics, though some patients may experience lingering symptoms known as post‑treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
Justin joins a group of public figures who have shared their experiences with Lyme disease, including Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, Avril Lavigne, Ben Stiller, and Alexis Ohanian.
These disclosures aim to bring more awareness to the illness and its impact .