Justin Timberlake announced Thursday that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease, calling it “relentlessly debilitating” both mentally and physically. But as his post gained traction, a wave of online speculation followed, reviving a long-running internet theory that questions why so many celebrities seem to announce a Lyme infection, and whether the diagnosis is ever used as a discreet cover for rehab.
Social media pushes the ‘code for rehab’ theory
Soon after Timberlake’s post, social media users began voicing doubt.
An X user wrote, “Celebrity suddenly gets diagnosed with Lyme disease = in rehab for smoking crack, justifies looking malnourished, needs privacy at this time.”
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Others echoed similar thoughts in Reddit threads and old viral theories. One user questioned, “Can someone please explain to me why so many celebrities have Lyme disease? I live in the Midwest near lots of woods in a 20 mile radius and I don’t know a single person to have Lyme disease.”
When model Bella Hadid opened up about her experience with the disease in 2023, one user linked the illness directly to addiction: “You don’t have ‘chronic’ Lyme disease — what you need to do is leave that dope alone.”
Lyme disease is real — so why the doubt?
Many celebrities have shared Lyme diagnoses.
Singer Shania Twain has come out about vocal struggles because of dysphonia, a condition linked to her Lyme diagnosis.
In 2020, Justin Bieber addressed a photo of himself from 2019 while he was dealing with the disease. In a now-deleted post, he wrote, “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s***, on meth etc. they failed to realize I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.”
Celebrities Amy Schumer, Kelly Osbourne and Ben Stiller have also been diagnosed, among many others. But many of those same names have also been publicly linked to addiction or rehab, fueling the online speculation.
Even reality star Yolanda Hadid and her daughter Bella were forced to respond to rehab rumors tied to their Lyme diagnoses. A source close to Bella denied the claims, noting her Lyme disease had been ongoing for years, according to ET. Bella’s brother, Anwar Hadid, also had Lyme.
What the CDC says about Lyme disease
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is usually treatable with antibiotics. Most people recover within two to four weeks, and 476,000 people may be diagnosed each year.
However, if left untreated, the disease can result in long-term symptoms like fatigue, joint pain and neurological complications. This condition is sometimes referred to as “chronic Lyme,” though it remains controversial in the medical community.
A harsh critique from medical experts
In 2019, two French doctors published a widely cited editorial titled, “Chronic Lyme disease: A scam that should be condemned!”
They argued there is no reliable scientific evidence for a chronic form of Lyme disease and claimed it is often used as a catch-all diagnosis for vague symptoms. “Chronic Lyme disease rather reflects the perception of one’s own multiple difficulties as well as the problems of our society,” they wrote.
The paper compared the diagnosis to past catch-all labels like spasmophilia, chronic asthenia or fibromyalgia.
The authors warned public officials, “This irrational diatribe has been picked up by the media and orchestrated by sectarian supporters of such syndrome – i.e., off-the-rails physicians, associations proclaiming to ‘defend’ the patient’s interests, and even political figures.”
Timberlake’s recent struggles added fuel to the fire
Timberlake’s tour began in April 2024, but his troubles started not long after. In June, he was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, for driving while intoxicated. He refused a breathalyzer and was later sentenced to community service.
Throughout the tour, Timberlake postponed or canceled several concerts due to health issues, including bronchitis, laryngitis, the flu and a back injury. In February, he canceled a rescheduled show minutes before it began — prompting even more frustration from fans.
Toward the end of the tour, some concertgoers noted his performances seemed off. Videos from recent concerts show him looking tired and disengaged.
Timberlake: ‘Relentlessly debilitating’
In his Instagram post, Timberlake made it clear that his intention wasn’t to hide anything. “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.”
While conspiracy theories swirl online, Timberlake’s statement offers a reminder that health issues, visible or not, can affect anyone. He says his goal is to help others with the disease.
