Justin Timberlake Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis After Touring Through Fatigue
Pop star Justin Timberlake, 44, has publicly disclosed that he has been living with Lyme disease, which led to persistent nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms during his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
In an Instagram post shared July 31, 2025, Timberlake described the illness as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” clarifying that the revelation was meant to explain underperforming shows—not elicit sympathy.
Touring Through Illness
Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow tour began in April 2024, supporting his sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was. The tour has spanned 121 shows across North America, Europe, and South America, grossing over $205 million from 94 shows, according to Billboard and other box office sources.
During the tour, fans and critics raised concerns about underwhelming performances. Timberlake addressed the criticism in his post, stating that after being diagnosed, he finally understood why he would experience sudden massive nerve pain or exhaustion mid-show.
Despite pressure to cancel, he chose to continue performing, saying, “the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling.”
Rescheduled Concert Dates
Timberlake's tour faced several health-related setbacks along the way. In October 2024, he postponed multiple U.S. shows after revealing he had bronchitis and laryngitis. That included a last-minute cancellation in Newark, later rescheduled for October 15. In early 2025, he canceled the final U.S. show in Columbus, Ohio, due to the flu, acknowledging on Instagram that “it kills me to disappoint you.”
Why the Disclosure Matters
Timberlake joins a growing number of public figures—including Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Shania Twain—who have shared their own struggles with Lyme disease to raise awareness about the often-unknown, long-lasting effects of the tick-borne infection.
Lyme disease symptoms can range from flu-like symptoms and joint pain to neurological effects like brain fog and facial paralysis if untreated. Timberlake’s transparency highlights the invisible impact the illness can have—and the importance of recognizing chronic symptoms rather than dismissing them as fatigue or laziness.
Fan Response and Support
Fans responded to Timberlake’s announcement with an outpouring of support. Many praised his decision to continue touring while managing a hidden illness and appreciated the honesty with which he spoke about his condition.
His wife, Jessica Biel, and sons—Silas and Phineas—were thanked in his post for their unwavering support throughout the grueling days of touring amid physical hardship.
What Comes Next
As Timberlake wraps up the Forget Tomorrow tour—ending in early July 2025 in Istanbul—he plans to take time to focus on his health and recovery. While he did not announce new plans immediately, the post hinted that he hopes his experience can open up more public dialogue about Lyme disease, treatment, and understanding chronic illness.
With climate change contributing to rising tick exposure in parts of the U.S., experts say public awareness and education are more crucial than ever. Timberlake’s decision to speak out may encourage broader empathy and help-seeking among those silently living with Lyme-related symptoms.