Justin Timberlake shares Lyme disease diagnosis and reflects on touring through pain as his Forget Tomorrow World Tour comes to a close.
Justin Timberlake is speaking out about his health for the first time, revealing that he’s been battling Lyme disease while wrapping up his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday, the “Mirrors” singer gave fans an inside look at what he’s been facing privately during his months on the road.
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“Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” Justin Timberlake wrote, explaining that the diagnosis helped explain the nerve pain, exhaustion, and sickness he was experiencing even while performing onstage.
Justin Timberlake first began the Forget Tomorrow World Tour in April 2024, with the final show taking place this Wednesday in Istanbul. Despite his health issues, the pop star made the decision to push through to the end of the tour.
“I was faced with a decision… to stop touring or to keep going,” he wrote. “The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”
Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by black-legged ticks. It can progress through multiple stages and lead to a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, facial paralysis, palpitations, and neurological issues.
Justin Timberlake admitted that opening up about the diagnosis didn’t come easy. “I’m usually a private person and I was reluctant to talk about this,” he said. But in his post, he explained that he wanted to be “more transparent about my struggles so they aren’t misinterpreted,” and to “help others” going through similar experiences.
“There really is no way to put into words the feeling of being on a stage and getting to share the experience of live music with all of you,” he added. “It’s a vibration of frequency that is unmatched. I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage but I’ll always cherish this run!”
With his tour now complete, Justin Timberlake’s message was one of connection, honesty, and gratitude. “Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected,” he concluded. “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”
