In a recent interview with TMZ Justin Bieber revealed that he has been suffering with Lyme disease. He then took to Instagram to further elaborate.
"While a lot of people kept saying justin Bieber looks like shit, on meth etc. they failed to realize I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health. These things will be explained further in a docu series I'm putting on YouTube shortly.. [sic]", he wrote.
"You can learn all that I've been battling and OVERCOMING!! It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever NO CAP."
Watch as Justin and Hailey treat their followers to a song:
The singer was, however, trolled after making the announcement. "I see a lot of people on here just creating lies and saying that they hope I lose in everything I do. Well I hope you all win. I hope everything you want in life happens for you. Regardless of how you feel about me I send back love," he wrote on Twitter in response.
And as it transpires, his wife, Hailey, has also had to wade in. The model clapped back at haters on Twitter, writing "I see a lot of people on here just creating lies and saying that they hope I lose in everything I do. Well I hope you all win. I hope everything you want in life happens for you. Regardless of how you feel about me I send back love." [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EnV5VHEYp/]]
"For those who are trying to downplay the severity of Lyme disease. Please do your research and listen to the stories of people who have suffered with it for years. Making fun of and belittling a disease you don't understand is never the way, all it takes is educating yourself," she continued.
Justin Timberlake has opened up about his diagnosis of Lyme disease after revealing he'd been "battling some health issues".
Justin Timberlake shared that he has Lyme Disease. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty
On Thursday (July 31), the 44-year-old music icon revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease, joining a growing list of high-profile stars - including Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, and Alec Baldwin - who have spoken publicly about their experience with the illness.
“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,” Timberlake shared in a candid Instagram post.
The 'SexyBack' singer said the condition has been “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”
He explained: “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.”
Timberlake’s announcement comes after more than a year on the road with his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which began in April 2024, shortly after his latest album Everything I Thought It Was.
As the tour progressed, fans noted signs of exhaustion and questioned his performance quality online.
The 'Mirrors' superstar addressed the speculation directly: “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.
“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,” he continued. “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.”
The tour’s success has been undeniable as Timberlake ranked 10th in Billboard’s midyear Boxscore report, grossing $73.2 million across 41 shows as of late May.
Experts say the disease, while relatively rare, can be serious. “Lyme disease is an infection caused by a group of bacteria transmitted through an infected tick, giving you a specific set of symptoms,” explained Dr Sanjay Mehta, GP at the London General Practice.
Only infected ticks can transmit the disease, and it’s typically contracted in wooded or grassy areas, The Independent reported.
The illness can present in a variety of ways, from flu-like symptoms and a rash to more severe nerve, joint, and neurological issues if left untreated.
Dr Mehta noted: “Those patients tend to get three stages of symptoms… long-term joint problems and neurological symptoms” can develop in a small number of cases.
In the US, experts have warned of an uptick in tick populations due to warming temperatures. May and June 2025 saw the highest number of ER visits for tick bites during those months since 2019, according to CDC data.
The illness is usually contracted after being bitten by a tick. Credit: rbkomar / Getty
Timberlake, who began his career on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club and rose to fame with *NSync before launching a solo career, said he hopes his experience will help others. “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease,” he said.
Fans have responded with overwhelming support. “Well, this explains a couple of things... the only thing we're sure of is that you have incredible talent and professionalism," wrote one.
"Every show was impactful, full of magic, and for that we are grateful. We will always support your every step, because we love you and know all the sacrifice that a tour entails. It's time for a break. We love you, JT. We hope you come back to our Chile when you return,” they added.
Another shared: “As someone who has battled Lyme disease for 23 yrs I want to say thank you for sharing your story & raising awareness & I am sending all the love & prayers for your healing.”
Coachella headliner Justin Bieber has joined the long list of celebrities diagnosed with bacterial infection spread by insects.
Several A-listers, including Bella Hadid, Ben Stiller, Kelly Osbourne, and Shania Twain, have spoken openly about their experiences with the disease.
The singer's condition was mistaken for a drug problem. Credit: Bauer-Griffin / GC Images / Getty Images
There were rumours that his condition was a drug problem
As you may have guessed, Justin Bieber has Lyme disease, a bacterial infection commonly passed to humans through infected ticks.
The ‘Daisies’ singer revealed his diagnosis in 2019 after undergoing a series of medical tests to trace the cause of extreme bouts of fatigue.
In the months leading up to the announcement six years ago, Bieber was subjected to rumours that he had a serious drug problem.
The misconceptions circulated after people on the internet jumped to conclusions after spotting the star looking unwell with blotches all over his skin.
In an address to his followers on Instagram, he said: "While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s**t, on meth etc. they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health."
Reassuring his fans, he added: "It's been a rough couple years but [I’m] getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever."
In 2020, the father-of-one released a documentary about his struggles during his time away from music, called ‘The Dark Season’.
On the show, he told a doctor, “I've been struggling with my energy for quite some time now, and I just haven't known why.”
He then said to the camera: "I realised after a series of tests that I have what's called Lyme disease, which is a super silent disease that's not really very well known. It's very hard for doctors to test for it."
The Lyme disease sufferer headlined Coachella this weekend. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Why do so many celebrities have Lyme disease?
Speaking in the documentary, one of Bieber’s physicians at the time, an expert in the condition, Dr Erica Lehman, explained: "Lyme disease is the fastest growing bacterial infection in the United States right now.
"We know that it can cause a whole spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms - mood changes, irritability, depression, anxiety.
A theory has emerged explaining why a growing number of celebrities - now including Justin Timberlake - have been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Justin Timberlake shared that he has Lyme Disease. Credit: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
On July 31, the 44-year-old Grammy Award-winning musician became the latest star to reveal his diagnosis.
Timberlake shared a heartfelt message with fans on Instagram, opening up about the health struggles he’s faced behind the scenes of his ongoing world tour.
“As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person,” Timberlake began. “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.”
“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 continued.
Describing the illness, 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 onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness,” he added.
The 'SexyBack' and 'Mirrors' singer said he faced a difficult decision: Stop touring or keep pushing forward.
“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 wrote. “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.”
Timberlake also admitted he was reluctant to talk about his condition, saying, “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.”
His candid post follows months of fan speculation about his health during his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which kicked off in April 2024.
Justin Bieber has battled the disease. Credit: Thecelebrityfinder/Bauer-Griffin / Getty
The diagnosis places Timberlake among a list of celebrities who have publicly battled Lyme disease, including Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Kelly Osbourne, Miranda Hart, and Alec Baldwin.
But why are so many high-profile stars being affected? Experts suggest several plausible explanations.
For one, lifestyle plays a role. Many celebrities own countryside estates in tick-prone areas like the Hamptons or Malibu canyons and are more likely to engage in outdoor activities such as horseback riding in wooded environments.
“If there is a rich and famous or class bias in this, it’s probably because they spend more time walking around in wooded parkland, more money to go out to those areas, or have big homes with these sorts of places,” Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, told Daily Mail.
Celebs also have quicker access to high-end healthcare, meaning they may get diagnosed earlier and are more likely to share their experiences online. Additionally, their huge respective followings mean their stories are more amplified. This creates the impression that Lyme disease is more prevalent among the rich and famous.
The disease is caused by bacteria transmitted via tick bites, often producing a ‘bullseye’ rash, though not in every case. Other symptoms can include flu-like illness, headaches, fatigue, nerve pain, and facial droop.
“It’s an infection caused by a group of bacteria transmitted through an infected tick, giving you a specific set of symptoms,” Dr. Sanjay Mehta, GP at the London General Practice, explained, per The Independent. If left untreated, the condition can lead to long-term joint problems and neurological symptoms.
According to the CDC, roughly 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year.
The agency also noted that May and June 2025 saw the highest number of ER visits for tick bites during those months since 2019, a trend possibly linked to rising temperatures.
Timberlake ended his message with a hopeful tone: “Sharing all of 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 this disease too.”
“As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person,” the Grammy-winner began. “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.
“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 continued.
The 'Cry Me A River' hitmaker described the illness as "relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically".
"When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure," he continued. “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."
Timberlake said he faced a challenging decision: Stop touring or keep pushing forward.
“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. “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.”
The 'Mirrors' singer also admitted he was reluctant to talk about his condition, saying: “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.”
Sources close to the singer shared an update in December 2025, telling People: "Justin seems to be doing okay. He’s prioritising his health after the gruelling tour and Lyme disease diagnosis.
"[Wife Jessica Biel] is supportive. She wants him healthy."
Credit: Bella Hadid / Instagram
Bella Hadid’s Ongoing Struggle with Lyme Disease
Timberlake is not the only celebrity facing the challenges of Lyme disease, as the 28-year-old model, who was diagnosed in 2012, has also been vocal about the illness.
Her mother, Yolanda, recently shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing her deep pain as she watches her daughter struggle with the condition.
"Watching my Bella struggle in silence has cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me. The invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease is hard to explain or understand for anyone," she wrote.
Yolanda praised her daughter’s courage in the face of a disease that has left her with a range of horrible symptoms, including irregular heartbeat, mood swings, joint pain, nausea, insomnia, headaches, and brain fog.
"You are relentless and courageous. No child is suppose to suffer in their body with an incurable chronic disease," she said. "I admire your bravery and your willingness to keep fighting for health despite the failing protocols and countless setbacks you have faced."
Yolanda shared an emotional post about her daughter. Credit: Yolanda Hadid / Instagram
The Facts and Symptoms
According to Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites.
Dr. Sanjay Mehta, a general practitioner at the London General Practice, described the condition as “an infection caused by a group of bacteria transmitted through an infected tick, giving you a specific set of symptoms," per The Independent.
The disease typically starts with a bullseye-shaped rash, though not everyone experiences this symptom.
Other common symptoms include flu-like illness, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and nerve issues. If left untreated, it can lead to long-term neurological symptoms and joint problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated each year, with the number of tick bites increasing as temperatures rise.
Lyme disease is transmitted through infected tick bites. Credit: rbkomar / Getty
The increasing number of celebrities who have been diagnosed has sparked discussions about why this illness seems to be affecting so many high-profile individuals.
Experts suggest several factors, such as lifestyle, may contribute to this trend, as many well-known people live in countryside estates or rural areas, such as the Hamptons or Malibu canyons, which are known to be tick-prone.
As Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of East Anglia, explained: “If there is a rich and famous or class bias in this, it’s probably because they spend more time walking around in wooded parkland, more money to go out to those areas, or have big homes with these sorts of places," per Daily Mail.
Additionally, celebrities often have quicker access to healthcare, which means they are more likely to be diagnosed early.
With their massive social media followings, their stories about Lyme disease reach a broader audience, amplifying the perception that the disease is more prevalent among the rich and famous.
Justin Bieber has taken to Instagram to slam a troll who encouraged a social media pile-on of his wife Hailey Bieber.
This happened after the 'Baby' hitmaker came across a video of the troll encouraging people to "go after" Hailey and the "live" video she had planned with comments that Bieber's ex "Selena is better."
Justin described the troll as a "sad excuse of a human" and shared a clip from the video to show his fans the type of abuse that he and his wife are subjected to for being in the public eye.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin dance together during quarantine:
The girl says in the video: "Hailey Baldwin is going to do a live, where she's talking about herself - 20 questions with Justin Bieber.
"This is the time where they will not be turning off comments, so we need to bombard that s**t with Jelena and how Selena is better. Go after her. Please, let's all go after her."
Twenty-six-year-old Justin took to Instagram stories to share a lengthy statement about the video and ask fans for their "prayers and support."
He wrote: "This sad excuse of a human just encouraged people on video to literally go after my wife telling people to say that my previous relationship was better so on and so forth.
"I just wanted to share this so that people get an idea of what we face on a day to day. It is extremely hard to choose the high road when I see people like this try and rally to gather people to bully the person I love the most in this world. It is not right."
Justin continued: "But I will say this. As many people as there are that want to spend their time publicly degrading, shaming and trying to humiliate us, we would like to ask those who have it in them to lift us up in prayer. We need prayer and support as we continue to put ourselves out there."
The 'Baby' singer said that the troll must be "miserable" in their own life, adding: "After watching that I could easily let it steal my joy, but then I think about her life and how miserable she must be to want to spend her life trying to make others feel small.
"The lesson here is SHE’S THE ONE MISSING OUT… life is fulfilling when you uplift and add value to people! A life where you want to make others feel small will leave you with no friends and no real JOY."
Hailey herself also addressed the video, describing it as "shockingly unhealthy and sad."
She reposted her husband's statement, adding: "I usually stay quiet and don't acknowledge these things because I need to protect myself and my mental. [sic]
"But it has truly gotten to a level of anger and hate and that is shockingly unhealthy and sad. I would never in a million years wish for someone to be treated this way and I will never condone this kind of hateful behavior (sic)."
Hailey said: "I want only to support, uplift and encourage other women in this industry and wish them nothing but love and success and I wish for all of my followers and supporters to do the same!! Wishing the young woman in that video all the best, I hope she finds love, peace and happiness in this life."
As per the Metro, Justin dated Selena on and off for eight years, and after their breakup in 2017, he reconnected with Hailey, who he had previously dated.
The pair married at a courthouse in New York in September 2018 before remarrying a year later in October 2019 at a South Carolina ceremony held for the couple's friends and family.
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