LOS ANGELES. Justin Timberlake has announced that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease during his recently concluded Forget Tomorrow tour. The 10-time Grammy winner revealed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, a day after wrapping up the tour in Turkey.
Timberlake described the illness as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” and admitted that he considered ending the tour after receiving the diagnosis. However, he ultimately chose to continue, saying, “The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”
Lyme disease is transmitted by deer ticks and can cause flu-like symptoms, neurological issues, and joint pain. In most cases, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics, although some patients may experience lingering symptoms even after treatment.
The singer also shared his uncertainty about future performances, writing, “I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage, but I’ll always cherish this run and all of them before. It’s been the stuff of legend for me.”
Throughout the tour, Timberlake postponed and canceled several shows due to various health concerns. Six U.S. concerts originally scheduled for October and November were moved to February. The final U.S. show in Ohio was canceled after Timberlake contracted the flu.
Representatives for Timberlake did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In addition to his health issues, Timberlake faced legal trouble earlier this year when he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in the Hamptons. As part of his plea deal, he issued a public safety message urging people not to drive under the influence.
Timberlake closed his Instagram post with a message of gratitude to his wife, Jessica Biel, and their sons, Silas and Phin. “Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way,” he wrote.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 476,000 Americans are treated for Lyme disease each year based on insurance records. Early signs include fatigue, fever, joint pain, and sometimes a red, bull’s-eye-shaped rash. Early antibiotic treatment is key, though detecting tick bites can be difficult since some are as small as a pinhead. If untreated, Lyme disease can cause serious complications, including arthritis and damage to the heart and nervous system.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
