Inside Justin Timberlake's 'debilitating' secret health battle and world tour struggles

Following a number of cancellations and performance issueswith Justin Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World Tour, the Senorita singer made the shock announcement that he had been battling a secret health condition. The star revealed in a candid Instagram post that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks.

Among other symptoms, the NHS states that chronic fatigue, lethargy, headaches and muscle and joint pain can all be attributed to the often misdiagnosed disease. He joins a number of other celebrities who have also been honest about contracting the illness, including Bella and Yolanda Hadid, Riley Keough, Justin Bieber, Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller. 

Lyme disease cases surged in the UK last year, with health authorities forced to issue an urgent warning to the public about the condition. It comes after it emerged Whitney Houston spent her tragic final moments 'feasting on food' with gravy boat in bathtub.

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Justin Timberlake's secret health battle

Justin shared his thoughts on overcoming the condition, offering fans an explanation for some of the problems it had caused him. Writing on his story, the 44-year-old pop star opened up, saying: "Well, as these two incredible years come to an end and I look forward to the future, I wanted to write something from the heart.

"It’s not an easy task to try to contextualise the whirlwind of touring – but I will try…this has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, gruelling experience. I have been doing this for 30+ years (which feels crazy to say)—and have given all that I have to this. I could not have done it without my family, friends, the TN kids, and all of your support.

"As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour – I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.

"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.

"Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself, but I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to myself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted. Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease, too."

What is Lyme disease?

Ticks that can cause Lyme disease are most commonly found in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwestern regions of the United States. But they are also known to be found all over the UK, with high-risk places including grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands.

Although some individuals that have Lyme disease get a rash or bite mark, there are not always obvious symptoms. Two types of blood tests are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease, however these tests are not always accurate in the early stages.

You may also need to be retested if you still believe you have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result, the NHS says. A course of antibiotics is usually the best treatment for the infection, although symptoms can go on for years.

Justin's tour struggle

The Forget Tomorrow World Tour was announced in support of Justin Timberlake's sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was. It kicked off on April 29, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada. He visited Europe, before heading back to Canada and the US.

An extension to the tour, called JT Live 2025, saw the singer perform a number of festivals and one-off shows, before officially ending on 30 July in Istanbul, Turkey. But some fans were left disappointed with their idol, after he cancelled some concerts, with nobody knowing until this week why.

His February concert at Ohio's Nationwide Arena was cancelled at the very last minute, leaving his fans angry and out of pocket. He wrote at the time: "You guys, I'm heartbroken, I have to cancel the show tonight."

He added: "I went into soundcheck battling the flu and now it's gotten the best of me. It kills me to disappoint you and my team who worked so hard to make this show happen.

"I want to reassure you, you'll be getting refunds for your tickets. I love you all."

In October 2024, he also cancelled his performance in Newark, New Jersey, only telling his fans a few hours before the gig. The same month, he pulled out of a further six shows, after he was struck down with laryngitis and bronchitis.

Fans left fuming

One of the former N*Sync star's fans shared a video on X showing disappointed fans departing the venue en masse. The person wrote: "Everyone leaving Nationwide Arena because Justin Timberlake cancelled the LAST tour date after already rescheduling from October. 10 minutes before the opener and after doors opened."

Other disgruntled fans replied with their own experiences, with one commenting: "Bought almost 40 bucks in drinks tonight, was sitting in our seats, we thought the announcement was a joke". Another added: "Paid 20 dollars in parking and now 2 vacation days wasted on this."

Someone else was left raging at the short notice, commenting: "Canceling [because] of being sick is 100% understandable. Canceling 10 minutes before the doors were to open is unacceptable."

Another wrote: "The show was canceled at 7:30 and the show was supposed to start at 8:00, I’m sorry if you have the flu you would’ve know before 1/2hour before the show starts. There were little kids standing in line that was devastated that you canceled. Shame on you."

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