From Justin Timberlake to Bella Hadid: Celebrities who’ve publicly battled Lyme disease

Justin Timberlake has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a potentially debilitating illness caused by tick bites. The singer shared the news via Instagram on Thursday, in a post marking the conclusion of his ‘Forget Tomorrow’ tour, which wrapped up in Turkey.

Describing the condition as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” Timberlake said he nearly ended his tour due to the diagnosis but ultimately chose to continue performing.

“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.

He thanked his wife Jessica Biel and their two sons, Silas and Phin, saying, “nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way.”

Throughout the tour, Timberlake had postponed or cancelled several shows, citing health issues such as bronchitis, laryngitis, and the flu. Six shows in the US were pushed to February 2025, and the final show of the US leg in Ohio was cancelled due to illness.

His representatives have not issued an official statement on the diagnosis.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. The condition is most common in the U.S., with an estimated 476,000 people receiving treatment for it annually, according to insurance records cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Initial symptoms often resemble the flu and may include fatigue, fever, headaches, joint pain, and a distinctive red bull’s-eye rash around the bite site. However, the rash doesn’t appear in all cases.

Prompt antibiotic treatment usually leads to full recovery, but if left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more serious complications.

Early symptoms to watch for

The first signs typically appear within 3 to 30 days of a tick bite. They may include:

• A bull’s-eye rash that spreads from the site of the bite, sometimes with a clear centre
• Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain
• Stiff neck and swollen lymph nodes

About 70–80% of patients develop the rash, although it is not always itchy or painful.

What happens if it goes untreated?

If not treated early, Lyme disease can progress and cause:

• Multiple rashes appearing elsewhere on the body
• Persistent joint swelling and pain, especially in the knees
• Nerve-related issues like numbness, tingling, or facial palsy (drooping on one side of the face)
• Severe headaches and neck stiffness
• Heart rhythm problems, dizziness, or shortness of breath
• In rare cases, inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, memory issues, and nerve pain

Ticks that transmit the disease are often tiny, some as small as a pinhead, making it difficult to know when a bite has occurred.

Other celebrities who were diagnosed with Lyme disease

Timberlake joins a growing list of celebrities who have gone public with their Lyme disease diagnoses, helping to raise awareness about the complex condition.

• Justin Bieber: In 2020, the pop singer revealed he had both Lyme disease and mononucleosis, which impacted his energy levels and mental clarity. His case brought attention to how Lyme can be misinterpreted as psychological or fatigue-related disorders.
• Avril Lavigne: The Canadian singer endured a lengthy battle beginning in 2015, during which she was bedridden for months. She later released Head Above Water as a tribute to her recovery and launched a foundation to support others affected by the disease.
• Bella Hadid & Yolanda Hadid: Both the model and her mother have spoken extensively about their struggles with Lyme. Yolanda chronicled her experience in her memoir Believe Me, while Bella has undergone over 100 days of treatment and frequently discusses her ongoing symptoms.
• Ben Stiller: The actor was diagnosed in 2010 after noticing swelling in his knee during a trip to Nantucket. Though now symptom-free, he has been vocal about the difficulty in obtaining a correct diagnosis.
• Shania Twain: Her early 2000s diagnosis led to vocal cord damage, forcing a long break from performing. Extensive therapy allowed her eventual return to music.
• Alec Baldwin: The actor has had recurring Lyme flare-ups for years and once described frightening flu-like episodes during a 2017 event, fearing they could be life-threatening.
• Amy Schumer: The comedian disclosed her diagnosis in 2020, citing symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. She has since advocated for greater awareness of invisible illnesses.
• Debbie Gibson: Diagnosed in 2013, Gibson has shared how the illness affected her physically and emotionally while continuing her performances, shedding light on the stigma and mental toll of Lyme disease. 

(With inputs from AP)