Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition he described as both mentally and physically draining. The announcement came via Instagram on Thursday, shortly after the singer completed the final leg of his Forget Tomorrow world tour in Turkey.
In a reflective message to fans, the former NSYNC frontman admitted that the diagnosis left him contemplating whether to cancel the remainder of the tour. However, he ultimately chose to continue performing, saying the joy he draws from the stage outweighed the physical toll. «I’m so glad I kept going,» he wrote.
Tour Challenges and Uncertain Future
Timberlake, known for hits like SexyBack, referred to himself as a private person and acknowledged the difficulty of speaking publicly about his condition.
«I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage, but I’ll always cherish this run,» he added, calling the tour «the stuff of legend» in his personal journey.
Throughout the Forget Tomorrow tour, Timberlake had to cancel or delay several performances due to health concerns. In the U.S. leg alone, six shows originally scheduled for October and November were postponed to February, and the final American concert in Ohio was ultimately cancelled due to the flu.
Understanding Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. Symptoms often begin with fever, fatigue and joint pain. In some cases, a distinctive bull’s-eye rash appears at the site of the bite, although this is not always present.
The illness is typically treatable with antibiotics if caught early. However, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications including neurological issues, heart problems and chronic joint inflammation. Even after treatment, some individuals continue to experience lingering symptoms for months or longer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 476,000 people receive treatment for Lyme disease annually in the United States.
