Justin Timberlake has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, opening up about his health issues after finishing his Forget Tomorrow world tour. The 44-year-old singer shared the news on Instagram, calling the diagnosis “shocking” but saying it explained the tiredness, nerve pain, and sickness he felt while performing.
“I would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness,” he wrote. Timberlake said he thought about ending the tour early but chose to keep going.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria passed to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. It is the most common illness spread by ticks in the US especially in the Northeast, Midwest, parts of Europe, and Canada.
The first sign is usually a red rash that spreads out from the bite, often looking like a bullseye. Other early symptoms include fever, tiredness, headache, and body aches. If not treated, the disease can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, causing pain, swelling, or even facial paralysis.
Doctors diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, tick exposure, and sometimes lab tests. It’s usually treated with antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin, and most people recover fully if treated early. However, some may continue to feel tired or in pain even after treatment, this is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
Celebrities who have battled with Lyme disease
Other than Justin Timberlake, many celebrities in the US have reported their Lyme disease diagnosis. Avril Lavigne suffered severe fatigue and joint pain that left her bedridden for months, inspiring her song “Head Above Water.” Justin Bieber revealed his diagnosis in 2020, sharing that he struggled with chronic fatigue and mental fog.
Yolanda Hadid has been one of the most vocal advocates since her 2012 diagnosis and also revealed that her children, including supermodel Bella Hadid, have Lyme disease. Bella spoke about years of dealing with chronic fatigue, bone pain, and brain fog before finally feeling healthy after 15 years.
Actor Ben Stiller, diagnosed in 2010, has discussed the challenges of managing the condition. Country singer Shania Twain battled the disease in the early 2000s, which damaged her vocal cords and impacted her singing career.
Alec Baldwin has described recurring symptoms like fatigue and fever during yearly flare-ups. Comedian Amy Schumer and TV personality Ramona Singer both shared their diagnoses in 2020, while Kelly Osbourne, who contracted Lyme after a tick bite, has pushed for greater health awareness. Pop singer Fletcher paused her career in 2023 after being diagnosed, and TV personality Ryan Sutter has spoken about managing severe, ongoing symptoms.