“He wasn’t himself”: Jessica Biel reportedly sensed something was off with Justin Timberlake before he was diagnosed with lyme disease

Justin Timberlake is taking time to focus on healing after revealing his recent Lyme disease diagnosis, a health battle he quietly pushed through for months while on tour.

The pop star and actor shared the news on Instagram on July 31, writing:

“I want to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes.”

Justin Timberlake explained that the symptoms were intense and confusing:

“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.”

A family source told People that Justin Timberlake's wife Jessica Biel was among the first to sense something was wrong:

“She could tell that he wasn’t himself. She’s incredibly supportive.”

Initially, the singer dismissed his symptoms, such as nerve pain, joint aches, and extreme fatigue, as part of aging and the demands of touring. The source continued:

“He’s not 20 anymore. But when his symptoms worsened, he realized something deeper was going on. He pushed through for months before finally getting answers.”

Timberlake then acknowledged how hard it was to open up publicly:

“I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.”

Throughout his tour, Timberlake also dealt with separate health issues including bronchitis, laryngitis, and a back injury.

“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," Justin shared in his post.

“That’s superhero status”: Chris Kirkpatrick on Justin Timberlake’s Lyme disease fight

Support poured in online after his announcement, including a heartfelt message from NSYNC bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick.

“Watching him battle Lyme disease day in and day out, while still getting on that stage night after night, was something I’ll never forget. No complaints, no excuses — just heart, grit and pure determination. That kind of resilience is rare.”

He added:

“That’s superhero status. Here’s to strength, perseverance, and one hell of a tour.”

READ HERE: “That’s superhero status”: Chris Kirkpatrick shows love for Justin Timberlake after Lyme disease reveal

With the international leg of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour now wrapped, Justin Timberlake is shifting focus to his health and family. According to a source revealed to People:

“The plan is to rest, spend time with Jess and the kids and do everything he can to heal. He loved touring and being back onstage, but he’s also relieved it’s over.”

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