Justin Timberlake Reveals Lyme Disease Battle During World Tour: “It Nearly Broke Me”

Justin Timberlake has opened up about a personal health battle he’s kept under wraps — the singer recently revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease, and it’s been affecting him throughout his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

In a heartfelt message shared via Instagram Stories, Timberlake explained the toll the illness has taken on both his body and his mind. He timed the announcement with the end of his tour, which officially wrapped in Istanbul on July 30.

Fans had been speculating about Timberlake’s health for months, noting that he often looked exhausted and low-energy during some of his international shows. Now we know why: Lyme disease had been silently draining him behind the scenes.

“I’ve been dealing with some health challenges recently,” Timberlake wrote. “I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I’m not sharing this to get sympathy, but to help others understand what I’ve been going through. Anyone who’s had Lyme, or knows someone who has, understands how brutally tough it can be — physically, emotionally, mentally.”

The Grammy winner admitted that the diagnosis initially came as a shock. There were moments when he considered cutting the tour short. The nerve pain and overwhelming fatigue made every performance a battle.

“When I got the news, it finally made sense why I was feeling constant nerve pain, intense fatigue, and just… off,” he said. “I was faced with a choice: cancel the tour, or push through and figure it out. In the end, the joy I get from performing was more powerful than the pain. And I’m so glad I kept going.”

Despite the struggle, Timberlake says continuing the tour gave him a renewed sense of strength and resilience — and most importantly, unforgettable memories with his fans around the world.

“This whole experience reminded me of how strong we can be when we don’t give up. I’ve always kept things like this private, but I’m learning that being honest about your challenges can help others feel less alone,” he added. “If my story helps even one person dealing with Lyme, then opening up was worth it.”

Timberlake’s Forget Tomorrow World Tour kicked off in April of last year in Vancouver and took him across North America, Europe, Mexico, and South America. The tour was in support of his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was, and marked one of his most ambitious live runs in years.

Now, as he closes this chapter, Timberlake is not only celebrating the tour’s success — but also the personal strength it took to finish it.