While reflecting on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, singer Justin Timberlake divulged that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease. On the lengthy Instagram post, he clarifies, “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.”
Timberlake recently concluded the lengthy tour in support of his Everything I Thought It Was album. The tour, which embarked in April 2024, has been criticized at various junctures for perceived lackluster performances and numerous postponements.
Timberlake noted on Instagram that the disease has taken a toll on his health in a multitude of ways: “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,” he said.
“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. I’m so glad I kept going.”
Last week, a clip of him performing “Can’t Stop the Feeling” in Transylvania, Romania, went viral, with a TikTok stating, “go girl give us nothing” during a video where he let the crowd lead the vocals, intermittently cutting in. Footage of his bloodshot eyes during a Las Vegas concert led people to think he was intoxicated onstage — the video resurfaced after his June 2024 DWI arrest — but his representatives denied that allegation to TMZ.
Timberlake had to cancel multiple dates on the tour. In October, he canceled a New Jersey date because of an injury. In February, he had “some kind of bug” that precluded him from performing in London. He also twice postponed his Columbus, Ohio, date, first because of bronchitis and laryngitis in October, and then because of the flu in February — that was the last North American date on the tour.
From Rolling Stone US
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