Lyme disease: Justin Timberlake and other celebs who have spoken out about living with it
Lyme disease is a kind of bacterial infection you can get from being bitten by an infected tick—usually the blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick. The main culprit is a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks that carry this bacteria are tiny, and their bites are often painless, making them super sneaky. These ticks like to hang out in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, especially during warmer months when people spend more time outdoors.
Apart from Timberlake, here are the other celebs who have talked about it making it necessary to identify the disease at the early stage and get remedy.
Justin Timberlake
Recently revealed his diagnosis during the final leg of his 2025 Forget Tomorrow World Tour, describing Lyme disease as 'relentlessly debilitating' with nerve pain and fatigue. He continued performing, prioritizing joy and transparency over sympathy.
Justin Bieber
In early 2020, the Canadian pop star shared he had Lyme disease and mononucleosis, which impacted his energy, mood, and cognitive health.
His openness helped highlight how Lyme can masquerade as mental health issues or chronic fatigue.
Avril Lavigne
Her 2015 diagnosis followed years of unexplained illness—she was bedridden for up to five months and later wrote Head Above Water as a tribute to her recovery. She founded the Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Lyme awareness.
Bella Hadid & Yolanda Hadid
Mother and daughter both battled Lyme disease. Yolanda first went public in 2012 and authored Believe Me about living with Lyme.
Bella has spoken extensively about pain, brain fog, and the long road to recovery, including over 100 days of medical treatment.
Ben Stiller
Diagnosed in 2010 after suspecting Lyme during a trip to Nantucket when his knee swelled up. Although now symptom-free, he remains vocal about the difficulty of getting properly diagnosed.
Shania Twain
Her early‑2000s Lyme bout damaged her vocal cords, forcing a long hiatus before extensive treatment allowed her to return to performing.
Her story shows how Lyme can impact nerves, muscles, and career longevity.
Alec Baldwin
Experienced recurring Lyme flare-ups every summer for years. In a 2017 event, he recounted terrifying flu‑like episodes and the fear that the illness could end his life.
Amy Schumer
Revealed her Lyme diagnosis around 2020. She's shared how symptoms like fatigue and brain fog affected her career and daily life, advocating for public understanding of this invisible illness.
Debbie Gibson
Diagnosed in 2013, she described battling symptoms—from weight loss to erratic nights—while performing. Her candid reflections emphasize how Lyme can intertwine with mental health struggles and stigma.
How do you get Lyme disease?
You don't get Lyme disease from just any tick bite, it has to be one carrying the bacteria. Usually, the tick has to stay attached for over 24 hours before it can pass the bacteria to you. The whole thing starts pretty quietly because the tick is so small you probably won't even feel it bite you.
Early symptoms: What to watch out for
Lyme disease symptoms show up in stages. Early on, about 3 to 30 days after the tick bite, you might notice these signs:
Bull's-eye rash: This is probably the most famous sign. It starts at the bite and expands outward, sometimes clearing in the center so it looks like a target. This rash isn't always itchy or painful, but it can feel warm. Not everyone gets the rash, but about 70–80% of people do.
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, feeling wiped-out, headaches, stiff neck, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle or joint pains are common.
In this early stage, the symptoms basically feel like a nasty cold with a weird rash.
What happens if it isn't treated?
If Lyme disease goes untreated, the infection can move to other parts of your body, sometimes after weeks or months. Here's what you might notice:
More rashes may pop up in other places.
Joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees or other large joints, are achy and puffy.
Nerve problems, like facial palsy (one side of your face droops), numbness, shooting pains, or even tingling in your hands and feet.
Severe headaches and neck stiffness, more intense than a regular headache.
Heart issues: Some people get heart palpitations or even irregular heartbeats (known as Lyme carditis).
Dizziness or shortness of breath can show up too.
Rarely, it can lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, with symptoms like memory problems, concentration trouble, or nerve pain.
Why should you care?
Catching Lyme disease early is key, it's way easier to treat (most people recover with antibiotics), and you can dodge all the long-term, possibly lifelong, problems. If you've been in tick areas and notice any of these symptoms, especially the rash, don't just brush it off. Get checked out by a doctor.
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