Pop star Justin Timberlake is stepping back and focusing on his well-being after publicly revealing a diagnosis of Lyme disease — a diagnosis he says helps explain months of pain and exhaustion. The announcement came just a day after the final concert of his two-year world tour, and friends say the singer is committed to recovery.
In an Instagram post on July 31, Timberlake acknowledged he had been “battling some health issues,” and confirmed doctors diagnosed him with Lyme disease. “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,” he wrote.
He added that for those familiar with the illness, they know “living with this disease… can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”
Timberlake admitted he felt “shocked for sure” when he first got the diagnosis. But, he continued, it helped him understand his persistent symptoms — the nerve pain, “crazy fatigue,” and frequent sickness that often followed his performances.
Despite those struggles, he said he didn’t walk away from the tour. “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,” he wrote.
Pulling Back to Heal
According to a source familiar with the family, Timberlake and his wife, Jessica Biel, are focused on his recovery. The source said Timberlake “seems to be doing okay,” and that Biel “is supportive. She wants him healthy.”
The decision seems rooted not only in concern for his own health — but for his role as a father to their two young sons. The source added that family remains their anchor during this difficult time.
Timberlake’s admission has also drawn attention to how demanding the tour was. The final leg reportedly left him drained, as fans and critics alike commented on the change in his energy and performance style.