American pop star and actor Justin Timberlake has revealed he is living with Lyme disease, in a move that surprised many fans.
The 43-year-old singer shared the emotional update in a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday.
He disclosed the health struggle after wrapping up his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
“The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” Timberlake wrote.
Tems Clinches Second Grammy with ‘Love Me Jeje’ WinJustin Timberlake, a Grammy-winning artist known for his energetic performances, admitted that the symptoms had been affecting him behind the scenes.
Despite the exhaustion and pain, he chose to continue performing for his fans.
“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,” he shared.
According to Timberlake, the diagnosis helped explain why he sometimes felt overwhelming fatigue or sudden nerve pain while on stage.
He said, “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.”
Justin Timberlake also admitted he had been hesitant to speak out at first.
“I’m a pretty private person,” he confessed.
However, he felt the need to be open with fans.
Lyme disease is an illness passed through tick bites.
If left untreated, it can affect the joints, heart, and nervous system, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The SexyBack singer explained he was faced with a personal decision: “Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out.” Choosing to fight through the pain, he found strength in performing.
Meanwhile, Timberlake’s openness has been met with encouragement from fans and fellow entertainers alike.
His message has inspired others who might be going through similar health battles.
Timberlake, who has two sons with actress Jessica Biel, ended the post with an uplifting note of resilience.
