Justin Timberlake. Photo: Lyvans Boolaky/WireImage

Man of the woods Justin Timberlake shared that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease in an Instagram caption on July 31. The post was made to celebrate the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which ended July 30 in Istanbul. “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,” JT wrote in the caption. “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. 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.” Timberlake added that he’d like “to help others experiencing this disease too.”

The tour began on April 29, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada. Two months after that, Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor for driving while intoxicated, famously declaring, “This is going to ruin the tour,” to which a police officer asked, “What tour?” and he responded, “The world tour.” He ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, a traffic violation, on September 13. “I’m hoping that whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake,” he said outside court. “I know that I certainly have.” Several tour dates in late October and early November 2024 were rescheduled due to “bronchitis and laryngitis.”

“I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage but I’ll always cherish this run!” Timberlake concluded his post ominously. “And all of them before! It’s been the stuff of LEGEND for me.”