Justin Timberlake Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis Amid Tour Backlash. Here’s What You Need to Know

Justin Timberlake’s latest Instagram Story may explain those recent viral videos.

Following critiques that Timberlake was phoning in performances during the final leg of his tour, the 44-year-old singer announced he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease. “I don’t [share this diagnosis] so you feel bad for me—but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he wrote in an Instagram Story and grid caption on July 31, adding that the tick-born bacterial infection can be “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

Though Timberlake did not specifically address the viral videos and critiques of the Forget Tomorrow World Tour—which he described as “the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience”—the tone of his Instagram story suggests he’s aware of the ongoing discourse. If you’re not, here’s what you need to know.

Justin Timberlake began facing backlash toward the end of JT Live 2025On July 19, a fan described Timberlake’s concert in Romania as an “absolute disappointment” in a TikTok video with over five million views. According to the fan, JT would only “sing five words on each song” after arriving late, causing her to leave the concert early despite paying “a lot of money” to see him and standing out in the rain.

“I get that you, like, have a lot of concerts and you’re touring the world or whatever, like, you cannot be singing, like, less than a quarter of a song, if that makes sense,” she said in the video, further complaining that his outfit completely covered his face. “People came here to see you, my boy, and we didn’t see you. We couldn’t see your face. You covered up like that shows no respect whatsoever for your audience.”

The complaint that Timberlake did not sing much of his songs then appeared to be backed up by a viral video from the same concert, as well as another show in Dublin, during which Timberlake could be seen putting his mic down and conducting the audience during “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

These videos sparked backlash, jokes, and internet discourse about what performers owe the fans that pay to see them live. “I want a refund and I didn’t even go,” one user commented on the clip from his Romanian concert, while another wrote, “So y’all went to karaoke?”

Then, Timberlake announces a Lyme disease diagnosisIt’s been nearly two weeks since the discourse started, and Timberlake has yet to address the backlash directly. However, he did share a long message to fans after the 15-month-long tour concluded in Istanbul on July 30.

“As these two incredible years come to an end and I look forward to the future, I wanted to write something from the heart. It’s not an easy task to try to contextualize the whirlwind of touring—but, I will try,” he began the message before revealing a Lyme disease diagnosis.

“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,” he wrote. “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 on stage 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.”

He continued, “I’m so glad I kept going. Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself, but I now I have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget.”

Instagram/@justintimberlake

Though Timberlake said he was “reluctant” to share his diagnosis, he claimed he didn’t want his “struggles” to be “misinterpreted,” which seems to be a veiled reference to the recent discourse. “Sharing all this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing in this disease too,” he concluded the first part of his note.

In a second slide, he shared gratitude toward his fans and team before finishing with a shoutout to his wife, Jessica Biel, and their two children. “To Jess, Silas, and Phin.… Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love,” he wrote. “You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way. With love, JT.”

How have fans reacted to the update?So far, many fans have flooded Timberlake’s Instagram post with positive comments, while others took to other social media platforms to remind their followers that “you never know what someone is battling.”

Timberlake’s nearest and dearest have also begun to respond, with Biel reposting Timberlake’s Instagram post with a series of heart emojis on her Instagram story. Meanwhile, Timberlake’s former ’NSync bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick praised his “little bro” in a lengthy Instagram post, writing, “Watching him battle Lyme disease day in and day out, while still getting on that stage night after night, was something I’ll never forget. The long days, the travel, the exhaustion—and yet, he never gave up. No complaints, no excuses—just heart, grit, and pure determination.”

He continued, “That kind of resilience is rare. I couldn’t be more proud to call him my friend. Tour life is already a grind, but doing it while fighting Lyme disease? That’s superhero status.”

This post may be updated.