Justin Timberlake has opened up about a private health battle that he’s been quietly dealing with behind the scenes. The *NSYNC legend and solo superstar revealed on Wednesday (July 31) that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition he describes as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”
The 44-year-old shared the emotional news in an Instagram post, giving followers a glimpse into what he’s been navigating offstage while wrapping his massive Forget Tomorrow World Tour. “I’ve been battling some health issues and was diagnosed with Lyme disease,” he wrote. “I don’t say this so you’ll feel bad for me, but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against.”
“I couldn’t understand why I’d be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue,” he further explained, confirming that symptoms had been affecting him long before the diagnosis. Lyme disease, commonly transmitted through tick bites, can initially cause flu-like symptoms but may escalate to include joint swelling, brain fog, nerve damage, and even facial paralysis if untreated, according to Mayo Clinic.
Timberlake’s admission follows weeks of fan speculation around his performance energy during the tour’s final dates. The 44-year-old explained that while he was “shocked” by the diagnosis, it helped him understand why he’d been experiencing such symptoms while trying to show up as his best self on stage night after night.
One fan’s TikTok video showed the Grammy-winning singer on stage in Transylvania, Romania, earlier this month urging the audience to sing majority of the lyrics in “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”
He candidly admitted that he initially hesitated to speak publicly about his health, due to the way he was brought up. “I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself,” he continued. “But I’m trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.” Timberlake made it clear that he hopes his honesty helps others who may be going through something similar.
Despite the pain, however, the “Cry Me A River” crooner has made the decision to keep performing through it. “The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,” he shared. “I’m so glad I kept going.”
In his post, he was sure to thank his entire team, his wife, and children for their unwavering support. “To Jess, Silas, and Phin… nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way,” he wrote.
Take a look at Justin Timberlake’s candid health update above.
