Chris Kirkpatrick is standing by his longtime friend and *NSYNC bandmate, Justin Timberlake, after the singer bravely revealed his battle with Lyme disease.
On Thursday (July 31), Timberlake shared the news with fans, and Kirkpatrick quickly took to Instagram to express his admiration for Timberlake’s strength throughout his recent Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which wrapped up just last night.
A Bandmate’s Heartfelt Tribute
“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 alongside 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,” he continued, calling Timberlake’s resilience “rare.”
Kirkpatrick added in his post: “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.”
Timberlake Opens Up About His Health
In a vulnerable Instagram post, Timberlake reflected on his journey while sharing photos from the tour.
“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 wrote. “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.”
He explained that the illness left him with nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and moments of sickness. “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 that the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”
A Legacy of Strength and Inspiration
Kirkpatrick concluded his tribute by raising a toast to Timberlake’s resilience: “Here’s to strength, perseverance, and one hell of a tour. Love you little bro.”
Timberlake now joins a list of artists including Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, and Justin Bieber, who have publicly spoken about their battles with Lyme disease.
With the support of his bandmates and fans worldwide, Timberlake continues to prove that his determination shines brighter than any obstacle — truly living up to the words: Justin Timberlake’s *NSYNC Bandmate Praises Him Following Lyme Disease Revelation: ‘That’s True Superhero Status’.
