Overview

• Timberlake announced on July 31 via Instagram that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease following the final Istanbul show of his Forget Tomorrow Tour
• He revealed that mid-tour fatigue and intense nerve pain led to his diagnosis but that he chose to continue performing because of the joy he finds on stage
• His disclosure offers context for recent fan observations of low energy during concerts and seeks to highlight the often misunderstood nature of Lyme disease
• Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through Ixodes tick bites, and can produce debilitating physical and mental symptoms when untreated
• Timberlake said he will pause touring to focus on antibiotic treatment and recovery while using his platform to raise awareness of the condition’s challenges