Pop icon and former NSYNC member Justin Timberlake has opened up about a personal health struggle: a diagnosis of Lyme disease.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared Thursday, Timberlake reflected on his Forget Tomorrow tour, which just wrapped up in Turkey, revealing that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease during the run. Despite the physical and mental toll of the illness, he chose to push through, saying, “I’m so glad I kept going.”
“I considered ending the tour when I found out,” he wrote, “but the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.”
Timberlake described himself as someone who values privacy, making the decision to speak out all the more meaningful. He also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of Lyme disease, calling it “relentlessly debilitating.”
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is transmitted through deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) and is notoriously tricky to detect. Early signs include flu-like symptoms and sometimes a bull’s-eye rash, though not everyone develops one. If caught early, Lyme disease is usually treatable with antibiotics, but left unchecked, it can cause serious complications affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Throughout his tour, Timberlake had to cancel or reschedule multiple shows due to health concerns, including bronchitis, laryngitis, and even the flu, which led to the cancellation of the final U.S. show in Ohio. Six shows originally planned for October and November were postponed to February.
Still, despite the rough patches, Timberlake expressed deep gratitude for the experience.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me onstage, but I’ll always cherish this tour. It’s been the stuff of legend for me.”
He ended the post with a moving thank-you to his wife Jessica Biel and their sons, Silas and Phin, writing:
“Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way.”
This isn’t the first time Timberlake has faced personal challenges in the public eye. Back in 2024, he pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in the Hamptons and later issued a public message warning others not to drink and drive.
As for Lyme disease in the U.S., the CDC estimates that around 476,000 people are treated for it each year, based on insurance data. The key to beating it lies in early detection, but the tiny ticks that transmit the disease, sometimes no bigger than a poppy seed often go unnoticed. Even after treatment, some individuals experience lingering symptoms.
Timberlake’s story is a reminder that even at the height of fame, health challenges don’t discriminate and neither does resilience.
