The real reason why so many stars like Bella Hadid and Justin Timberlake are battling Lyme disease has been revealed.
Earlier this year, Timberlake, 44, shared a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram, opening up about the health struggles he’s faced behind the scenes of his world tour.
“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.”
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."
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.
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.