Justin Timberlake reveals he is battling Lyme disease

This explains his fatigue on stage

American singer, producer, and actor Justin Timberlake has revealed on Instagram that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The artist admitted that the illness has been extremely exhausting, both physically and mentally.

Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Common symptoms include fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and general malaise.

«As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I reflect on the tour and this global journey, I want to share a little bit about what I’ve been going through. Among other things, I’ve been dealing with some health issues — I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I’m not saying this to seek pity, but to shed some light on what I’ve faced behind the scenes. If you’ve had it or know someone who has, you know — living with it can be relentlessly draining, mentally and physically,» Timberlake wrote.

His statement came a day after the final show of the Forget Tomorrow world tour, which took place on July 30 in Istanbul. According to The Guardian, some fans had criticized Timberlake’s performances on social media, pointing out his tiredness and lack of energy on stage.

«When I got the diagnosis, I was shocked. But it explained a lot — the pain, the fatigue, the lack of energy during concerts. At one point, I had to choose: pause the tour or keep going despite everything. I chose the stage. Performing brings me joy — and that’s stronger than the pain,» the musician shared.

According to Billboard, the Forget Tomorrow tour ranked among the top ten highest-grossing tours in the first half of 2025, earning $73.2 million from 41 shows.

Notably, Justin Timberlake is not the only celebrity who has faced Lyme disease. In the past, Bella Hadid, Avril Lavigne, and Justin Bieber have also opened up about their experiences.

The Guardian notes that the spread of ticks in the United States has increased in recent years due to climate change and global warming, raising the risk of infection.

Photo: Instagram @justintimberlake