The real reason so many celebrities get Lyme disease has been revealed, as Justin Timberlake announced his silent battle with the ‘debilitating’ illness.
The 44-year-old American singer is the latest star to be diagnosed with the disease, after taking to Instagram to share the sad news with fans.
After finishing his world tour, which began in April 2024, the ‘Mirror’ artist revealed that he had silently been battling the disease behind closed doors.
Timberlake announced: “Well, as these two incredible years come to an end and I look forward to the future, I wanted to write something from the heart.
“As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person… but I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.”
As the heartbreaking statement continued, the singer revealed: “Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease.”
The dad-of-two noted that he wasn’t looking for sympathy, but wanted to ‘shed some light’ on what he’s really been up against behind closed doors.
He continued: “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.”
But Timberlake isn’t the first celebrity to contract the disease in recent years.
Numerous household names have been diagnosed, leaving people wondering why so many famous faces are susceptible.
Among them is Justin Bieber, who revealed in 2020 that he had been receiving treatment for the illness.
Avril Lavigne also opened up about her diagnosis in 2015, when the singer noted she had ‘accepted death and could feel [her] body shutting down.’
Shania Twain also revealed in 2003 that her voice ‘was never the same again’ after being bitten by a tick and contracting Lyme disease.
In her documentary Not Just a Girl, she said: “I thought that was it, [and] I would never, ever sing again.”
Another celebrity to face the disease was Bella Hadid, who expressed how it changed her ‘perspective’ on life.
She was first diagnosed in 2015 but issued this update in 2023.
In an Instagram post, she said: “I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life, this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, co-infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, for the first time ever.”
Amy Schumer broke the news of her diagnosis in a September 2020, noting she may have had the illness ‘for years’ without knowing.
Writing in her memoir ‘There Is No F***ing Secret: Letters From a Bada** B****,’ Kelly Osbourne also unpacked her journey with the condition.
She was bitten by a tick in England in 2004 and went undiagnosed for years.
But why do celebrities so often suffer from Lyme disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 400,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.
It seems that a large portion of Hollywood has revealed Lyme disease diagnoses, because the illness is common in the United States.
The most common symptoms include a fever, a headache, fatigue, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, arthritis and a skin rash.
