A theory has emerged explaining why a growing number of celebrities - now including Justin Timberlake - have been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
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.
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.”