Chris Kirkpatrick says his *NSYNC bandmate Justin Timberlake “showed me a whole new level of strength” in the wake of Timberlake’s announcement that he has Lyme disease on Thursday (July 31).
Kirkpatrick took to Instagram to show support for Timberlake, who struggled with Lyme disease on his recent Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which closed out last night.
“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 under a photo of himself, Timberlake and fellow *NSYNC members Lance Bass and JC Chasez. “The long days, the travel, the exhaustion — and yet, he never gave up. No complaints, no excuses — just heart, grit, and pure determination.”
Kirkpatrick added about Timberlake, “That kind of resilience is rare.”
In a vulnerable Instagram post Thursday (July 31), Timberlake shared photos from his time on the road and wrote, “As I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour — I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.”
Timberlake went on to announce, “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 behind the scenes.”
“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,” he continued. “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. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”
Continuing his support, Kirkpatrick wrote: “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.”
Kirkpatrick concluded his post with, “Here’s to strength, perseverance, and one hell of a tour. Love you little bro.”
Timberlake isn’t the first musician who’s publicly shared his Lyme diagnosis, with Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and more stars also previously speaking about their struggles with the illness.
