NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick is showing strong support for his friend and bandmate Justin Timberlake after Timberlake revealed he has been quietly dealing with Lyme disease during his recent Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
Kirkpatrick took to Instagram to speak about Timberlake’s strength and determination. He said Timberlake showed him “a whole new level of strength” as he performed night after night despite the illness.
“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,” Kirkpatrick wrote. “The long days, the travel, the exhaustion — and yet, he never gave up. No complaints, no excuses, just heart, grit, and pure determination.”
He also called Timberlake’s attitude “superhero status” and added, “That kind of resilience is rare.” Timberlake shared his own message with fans on July 31, posting photos from the tour and opening up about his health. He explained that he had been struggling behind the scenes and wanted to let fans know the truth.
“Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I don’t say so you feel bad for me, but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against,” Timberlake wrote.
He went on to describe how difficult it was to perform while dealing with nerve pain, exhaustion, and other symptoms. When faced with the choice to stop the tour or continue, he chose to push forward.
“The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” Timberlake said.
Kirkpatrick finished his post with a heartfelt message. “I couldn’t be more proud to call him my friend. Tour life is already a grind, but doing it while fighting Lyme disease? That’s superhero status. Here’s to strength, perseverance, and one hell of a tour. Love you little bro.”
View this post on Instagram
