Justin Timberlake shocked fans on 31 July 2025, announcing via Instagram that he’s been living with Lyme disease while performing on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour—which wrapped up that same day in Turkey. He called it “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically”.Despite chronic nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and sickness, Timberlake powered through roughly 90 shows over 15 months. He admitted thinking about quitting, but he said, “the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling” and that he doesn’t regret continuing.He explained he felt shocked when first diagnosed, but it helped explain why he sometimes skipped singing or leaned on the crowd to fill in lyrics. He said he’s sharing this to clear up misunderstandings and connect with others going through similar strugglesIn a long post on Instagram Timberlake wrote: “Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease -— which I don’t say so you feel bad for me –– but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes. If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going. “
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, spreads via infected tick bites—with deer ticks being the most common carrier in the US Early symptoms can include a bullseye rash (though not everyone gets it), fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes With prompt diagnosis, it’s typically treatable with 10–14 days of antibiotics. But delays can allow the infection to spread to joints, heart, or the nervous system, and some people face lingering issues known as Post‑Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)
Why this matters
Lyme disease is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne illness in the US, especially across the Northeast and Midwest Timberlake’s openness joins that of celebs like Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid—people often assume it’s rare, but it affects hundreds of thousands in the US annually His tour officials noted multiple show cancellations earlier in the run due to flu, a back injury, respiratory illness, and ankle issues, emphasizing the toll it took
How to stay safe from Lyme
While Timberlake didn’t go into details about his treatment, these are recognized best practices for Lyme prevention and care:
- Avoid tick-infested areas, especially during warmer months.
- Use repellents like DEET and treat clothing or gear with permethrin.
- Check yourself and pets after time outdoors.
- If a tick is attached, remove it carefully (by the head) as soon as possible.
- See a doctor if you notice a rash, fever, or flu‑like symptoms after a bite. Early antibiotics are key