Justin Timberlake reveals he has Lyme disease: "Living with it can be relentlessly debilitating."

The prince of pop, Justin Timberlake , revealed this Thursday that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. "Among other things, I've been struggling with some health issues, and I was diagnosed with Lyme disease ," the 44-year-old American artist wrote on his Instagram account.

"I'm not saying this to make you feel sorry for me, but to give you an idea of what I've been through behind the scenes," the former NSYNC vocalist added in the post, in which he also commemorated the end of his world tour with his fans alongside several photos.

Timberlake has received some criticism for his recent performances in the final stretch of his "Forget Tomorrow" tour . His appearance was also a topic of conversation on social media, where fans commented that he looked tired, according to AFP.

The singer said Thursday that he is a private person and was reluctant to make the diagnosis public, believing it was best to maintain his privacy. "But I'm trying to be more transparent about my difficulties, so they aren't misinterpreted."

Lyme disease is usually contracted through the bite of a tick carrying the Borrelia bacteria, explains the medical charity Mayo Clinic. Fever, headache, fatigue, and joint stiffness are some of the initial symptoms of the disease, which can also affect the nervous system and heart if not treated promptly .

"Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically," Timberlake wrote.

"When I received the diagnosis, I was in shock. But at least I was able to understand why I could be on stage and feel massive nerve pain, or extreme fatigue, or discomfort ," she said.

Other artists such as Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, and Justin Bieber have also revealed in the past that they suffer from the disease that attacks tens of thousands of Americans each year.

Timberlake, married to actress Jessica Biel and father of two, faced several setbacks during his world tour that kicked off in April 2024, including being arrested for drunk driving in New York last year.