In the spotlight from a young age, Justin Timberlake soared to international fame in the ’90s as a member of the boy band NSYNC. However, his 2002 solo debut Justified proved to the world that he was a pop star in his own right with hits like “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body.” Now 44, the Memphis-born “Prince of Pop” recently wrapped up his first headlining tour in five years, The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. However, various illnesses derailed multiple shows throughout the tour’s 15-month run. Now, Timberlake is opening up about another serious health issue.
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Justin Timberlake Gets Vulnerable On Social Media
On Wednesday, July 30, Justin Timberlake closed out his Forget Tomorrow World Tour with a show at İTÜ Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. A day later, the “My Love” crooner revealed in a social media post that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, an illness caused by tick bites.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis. Faced with this life-altering news, Timberlake had to make a decision: “Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out.”
Ultimately, “I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,” he wrote. “I’m so glad I kept going.”
[RELATED: Justin Timberlake Speaks Out After Pleading Guilty for DWI Arrest: “Take an Uber”
Pop Star Criticized For Less-Than-Stellar Performance
Justin Timberlake’s health update sheds some light on criticism the 10-time Grammy winner has faced throughout his tour. Just last week, a clip of him performing “Can’t Stop The Feeling” in Transylvania went viral. In the video, Timberlake lets the crowd take the lead on vocals, only cutting in sporadically.
“Go girl give us nothing,” one TikTok user wrote.
Naturally, the clip invited a tidal wave of social media snark. “Justin Timberlake karaoke hosted by Justin Timberlake is wild,” one TikTok user remarked.
Featured image by Lyvans Boolaky/WireImage
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