Justin Timberlake Announces Diagnosis Of ‘Debilitating’ Disease

Pop sensation Justin Timberlake is in the hospital with a “debilitating” disease, he revealed to his fans on Friday.

The “Sexyback” singer, who kicked off his “Forget Tomorrow” world tour back in April, may not see it through after being diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition that he said he has no clue how he contracted. The disease is primarily passed through bites from infected insects, including ticks.

He pulled back the hospital curtain in a heartfelt Instagram post apologizing to ticket holders hoping to see him later this year.

“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,” he wrote in his social media caption. “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.”

Timberlake explained why it was so important to go public with the news of his health troubles.

“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 yourself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.”

New of Timberlake’s hospital admission comes after the former Mouseketeers child star took flak from fans upset that he refrained from singing during a recent festival performance.

Attendees at Romania’s Electric Castle festival saw Timberlake strolling back and forth on stage, urging audience members to clap their hands while his tracks played with no vocals.

“When you pay for a concert but get a mute singer,” a fan wrote on TikTok, Fox News shared. “Dude took a day off on stage…”

In his post, Timberlake thanked his fans and crew members for their continued patience with him throughout his world tour.

“To everyone of you who came to see me on the Forget Tomorrow Tour or the JT Live ’25 (or any other tour or show throughout the years for that matter)… Your energy and love continues to humble me. Your signs, messages, and DIY t-shirts have made me laugh and smile so many times. And, hearing and watching you all sing these songs, word for word, at the top of your lungs, will forever leave me in awe,” he said. “You have made my dreams come true.”

“To my crew, band, singers, and dancers… Tour life really is like nothing else. It takes a special type of person to be able to do it – much less do it well. You all have been such a beautiful family away from home for me. I will always treasure our time these last couple of years together. I can’t wait to see what everyone gets up to next. I know it will be exciting.”

“There really is no way to put into words the feeling of being on a stage and getting to share the experience of live music with all of you. It’s a vibration of frequency that is unmatched. Sacred to me. 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.”