Celebrities Who Have Lyme Disease and What They've Said
Stars including Justin Timberlake, Bella Hadid and more got candid about their experience with the tick-borne disease
By Grace Gavilanes and Alexandra Schonfeld
Alexandra Schonfeld
Alexandra Schonfeld
Alexandra Schonfeld is a features writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since April 2022. Her work previously appeared in Newsweek.
People Editorial Guidelines
Published on July 31, 2025 02:54PM EDT
2
Comments
Justin Timberlake, Bella Hadid and Riley Keough
Credit : Amy Sussman/Getty;Arnold Jerocki/GC;Golden Globes 2024 via Getty
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease every year. Symptoms can include a rash and flu-like symptoms, with some people going on to experience arthritis, facial palsy, pain, irregular heartbeats and other worsening symptoms.
In recent years, numerous celebrities have come forward with their own stories of suffering, opening up about their health and treatments, both for better and worse.
Justin Timberlake is the latest star to speak out about his experience since being diagnosed, joining a list of stars that include the Hadid siblings, Ben Stiller, Shania Twain and more stars who've been affected by Lyme.
01
of 20
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Lionel Hahn/Getty
On July 31, 2025, Timberlake revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease while on his Forget Tomorrow world tour and finding himself performing through "massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
“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 wrote.
"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.
Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. 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.
Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too."
02
of 20
Alexis Ohanian
Alexis Ohanian speaks onstage during WSJ's Future of Everything 2025 at The Glasshouse on May 29, 2025
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
After getting full body scans, the Reddit co-founder shared on X in July 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
“Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat," he wrote in part, adding, “I spend so little time in the wilderness/northeast this was quite a surprise. Anyway, gonna grab some antibiotics — can't keep me down, tick!”
03
of 20
Leah McSweeney
Leah McSweeney attends the Big Feelings Brand Launch Party on November 02, 2023 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
The Real Housewives of New York City alum revealed she'd been diagnosed with the disease through an Instagram story in July 2024 where she posted her blood test results.
"Please send success stories of healing from Lyme," she wrote. "It's a new infection not chronic."
"Apologies to all my friends who I've canceled on in the past couple months cus I was feeling like s---," she finished.
04
of 20
Fletcher
Singer Fletcher Announces Lyme Disease Diagnosis
Fletcher.
Fletcher/Instagram
In September 2023, the singer announced her diagnosis on Instagram alongside two photos of herself during a doctor's visit, sharing that her recent health battle has forced her to put her career on pause.
“I have recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I started becoming increasingly ill over the last couple years and just kept pushing even though I knew there was something deeper going on,” she wrote. “For the last few months I’ve been receiving treatments, following doctor’s orders and doing my best to learn more about this invisible illness.”
“Lyme has affected me in a variety of ways and while it has not only taken a tremendous toll on my physical body, it has also caused concern for my voice as well,” she continued. “This has won on my soul in a way that’s hard to even put words to as singing is the thing I love most in this world and my voice is my vessel for expression.”
05
of 20
Yolanda Hadid
Yolanda Hadid
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has spoken out about her diagnosis onstage, on TV, on social media and in her 2017 book, Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease.
"This disease has brought me and many others to our knees, often wishing to die of utter hopelessness and exhaustion. Like I always say, you don't get it until you get it," she said at the Global Lyme Alliance Gala in 2016. "It's hard for people to understand the invisible disability that owns our life especially behind the beautiful face that shines so bright on the covers of magazines."
06
of 20
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid Posts Update on Her Health: âThe Universe Works in the Most Painful and Beautiful Waysâ
Bella Hadid/Instagram
In her speech at the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance, Yolanda's daughter Bella explained how her passion for horseback riding - and many aspects of her life - have been hindered because of her Lyme battle.
"It was my dream of my life and what I did every single day until I just stopped and realized I didn't have the brain power to ride horses anymore, so that was the end of that," Bella explained. "I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed from bone pains and exhaustion and days on end of not wanting to socialize or be around people because the anxiety and brain fog just isn't worth it. After years of this, you begin to get used to living with the sickness, instead of getting cured and moving on with your life."
In 2023, the model shared that after 15 years, she is "finally healthy."
“The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself🫶🏼,” she wrote on Instagram. "I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life, this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, [co-infection] treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, For the first time ever.”
Bella's brother, model Anwar Hadid, also lives with the "invisible illness," Yolanda has shared.
“Watching my babies struggle in silence to support me in my journey struck the deepest core of hopelessness inside of me,” she said in a 2015 speech.
Dr. Raphael Kellman told PEOPLE at the time that it's not uncommon for family members to have Lyme disease at the same time, though "it’s not genetic, it’s because they share the same environment," he added.
07
of 20
Riley Keough
Riley Keough attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
Amy Sussman/Getty
In her 2023 Vanity Fair cover story, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley revealed she had Lyme disease. It not only led to her choosing surrogacy when starting a family with husband Ben Smith-Petersen (the pair welcomed daughter Tupelo in August 2022), but also affects her day-to-day life.
“I can carry children,” she explained, “but it felt like the best choice for what I had going on physically with the autoimmune stuff.”
The Vanity Fair interview took place in Sweden, where the actress said she was on a "little break" as she worked to "alleviate" Lyme symptoms at a holistic center where they do “all kinds of things that you can’t really do in America yet, like cleaning your blood," she shared.
08
of 20
Ryan Sutter
Ryan Sutter
Ryan Sutter.
Ryan Sutter/instagram
After navigating a "mystery" illness for months during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sutter announced in May 2021 that he had Lyme disease, worsened by mold exposure.
Sutter explained that after going through a litany of testing and blood work over the last year, doctors determined that his body is susceptible to taking in mold toxins, which he is frequently exposed to as a firefighter.
"It seems to be that what happened is that my immune system was weakened through exposures to toxins and especially to mold," he said on wife Trista Sutter's podcast, Better Etc. "There are other people in the fire academy that probably had the same exposures who aren't dealing with these exposures because their genetics are stronger, they're able to get rid of the toxins easier."
He also tested positive for COVID-19 and Epstein-Barr virus, a common illness that causes mononucleosis.
"It's been hard," Trista said. "It's a really difficult thing to see the person you love most in the world struggling. And he's a big, strong guy, and oof - to see him get emotional and feel hopeless, in that all I could really do is advocate for him, so that's what I did."
In June 2022, the couple sat down with PEOPLE for an update on Ryan's health — and had good news.
"For so long, I was only thinking about how to survive the day," said Ryan. "But I feel like my life is coming back. And that's been really encouraging."
09
of 20
Kelley Flanagan
Kelley Flanagan
Kelley Flanagan.
Kelley Flanagan/ instagram
Bachelor alumna Kelly Flanagan shared "some not so good news" with her Instagram followers in August 2021 — she tested positive for Lyme disease.
The former Bachelor contestant posted a video on Instagram where she tearfully explained that she's been struggling with the news about her health.
"I'm not having the best day today," Flanagan said, before sharing that she tested positive for Lyme disease. The reality star said that she suspected that something was off because her body "is so much more sensitive and super reactive to a bunch of things."
"Two of my brothers have Lyme disease and a lot of their symptoms sounded really similar to me," she said. "Cause I've just always had something off since I was young, and like, really really had to take care of myself."
Flanagan said that she thinks "this is something that I've had maybe for a while," and she's partially relieved to have a diagnosis.
"It's a blessing and a curse because now I can target why I feel off so often but also means several different lifestyle changes and extensive research on how to help/hopefully cure this!" she wrote in the caption. "I know this is going to be tough for me seeing what my brothers have gone through mentally and physically but I'm going to put so much of my time and energy into figuring this out and combatting this."
[1 of 2]
Celebrities Who Have Lyme Disease and What They've Said Stars including Justin Timberlake, Bella Hadid and more got candid about their experience with the tick-borne disease
By Grace Gavilanes and Alexandra Schonfeld Alexandra Schonfeld Alexandra Schonfeld Alexandra Schonfeld is a features writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since April 2022. Her work previously appeared in Newsweek.
People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 31, 2025 02:54PM EDT 2 Comments Justin Timberlake, Bella Hadid and Riley Keough Credit : Amy Sussman/Getty;Arnold Jerocki/GC;Golden Globes 2024 via Getty According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease every year. Symptoms can include a rash and flu-like symptoms, with some people going on to experience arthritis, facial palsy, pain, irregular heartbeats and other worsening symptoms.
In recent years, numerous celebrities have come forward with their own stories of suffering, opening up about their health and treatments, both for better and worse.
Justin Timberlake is the latest star to speak out about his experience since being diagnosed, joining a list of stars that include the Hadid siblings, Ben Stiller, Shania Twain and more stars who've been affected by Lyme.
01 of 20 Justin Timberlake Justin Timberlake attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Lionel Hahn/Getty On July 31, 2025, Timberlake revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease while on his Forget Tomorrow world tour and finding himself performing through "massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
“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 wrote.
"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.
Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. 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.
Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too."
02 of 20 Alexis Ohanian Alexis Ohanian speaks onstage during WSJ's Future of Everything 2025 at The Glasshouse on May 29, 2025 Dia Dipasupil/Getty After getting full body scans, the Reddit co-founder shared on X in July 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
“Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat," he wrote in part, adding, “I spend so little time in the wilderness/northeast this was quite a surprise. Anyway, gonna grab some antibiotics — can't keep me down, tick!”
03 of 20 Leah McSweeney Leah McSweeney attends the Big Feelings Brand Launch Party on November 02, 2023 in New York City. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty The Real Housewives of New York City alum revealed she'd been diagnosed with the disease through an Instagram story in July 2024 where she posted her blood test results.
"Please send success stories of healing from Lyme," she wrote. "It's a new infection not chronic."
"Apologies to all my friends who I've canceled on in the past couple months cus I was feeling like s---," she finished.
04 of 20 Fletcher Singer Fletcher Announces Lyme Disease Diagnosis Fletcher. Fletcher/Instagram In September 2023, the singer announced her diagnosis on Instagram alongside two photos of herself during a doctor's visit, sharing that her recent health battle has forced her to put her career on pause.
“I have recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I started becoming increasingly ill over the last couple years and just kept pushing even though I knew there was something deeper going on,” she wrote. “For the last few months I’ve been receiving treatments, following doctor’s orders and doing my best to learn more about this invisible illness.”
“Lyme has affected me in a variety of ways and while it has not only taken a tremendous toll on my physical body, it has also caused concern for my voice as well,” she continued. “This has won on my soul in a way that’s hard to even put words to as singing is the thing I love most in this world and my voice is my vessel for expression.”
05 of 20 Yolanda Hadid Yolanda Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has spoken out about her diagnosis onstage, on TV, on social media and in her 2017 book, Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease.
"This disease has brought me and many others to our knees, often wishing to die of utter hopelessness and exhaustion. Like I always say, you don't get it until you get it," she said at the Global Lyme Alliance Gala in 2016. "It's hard for people to understand the invisible disability that owns our life especially behind the beautiful face that shines so bright on the covers of magazines."
06 of 20 Bella Hadid Bella Hadid Posts Update on Her Health: âThe Universe Works in the Most Painful and Beautiful Waysâ Bella Hadid/Instagram In her speech at the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance, Yolanda's daughter Bella explained how her passion for horseback riding - and many aspects of her life - have been hindered because of her Lyme battle.
"It was my dream of my life and what I did every single day until I just stopped and realized I didn't have the brain power to ride horses anymore, so that was the end of that," Bella explained. "I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed from bone pains and exhaustion and days on end of not wanting to socialize or be around people because the anxiety and brain fog just isn't worth it. After years of this, you begin to get used to living with the sickness, instead of getting cured and moving on with your life."
In 2023, the model shared that after 15 years, she is "finally healthy."
“The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself🫶🏼,” she wrote on Instagram. "I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life, this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, [co-infection] treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, For the first time ever.”
Bella's brother, model Anwar Hadid, also lives with the "invisible illness," Yolanda has shared.
“Watching my babies struggle in silence to support me in my journey struck the deepest core of hopelessness inside of me,” she said in a 2015 speech.
Dr. Raphael Kellman told PEOPLE at the time that it's not uncommon for family members to have Lyme disease at the same time, though "it’s not genetic, it’s because they share the same environment," he added.
07 of 20 Riley Keough Riley Keough attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Amy Sussman/Getty In her 2023 Vanity Fair cover story, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley revealed she had Lyme disease. It not only led to her choosing surrogacy when starting a family with husband Ben Smith-Petersen (the pair welcomed daughter Tupelo in August 2022), but also affects her day-to-day life.
“I can carry children,” she explained, “but it felt like the best choice for what I had going on physically with the autoimmune stuff.”
The Vanity Fair interview took place in Sweden, where the actress said she was on a "little break" as she worked to "alleviate" Lyme symptoms at a holistic center where they do “all kinds of things that you can’t really do in America yet, like cleaning your blood," she shared.
08 of 20 Ryan Sutter Ryan Sutter Ryan Sutter. Ryan Sutter/instagram After navigating a "mystery" illness for months during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sutter announced in May 2021 that he had Lyme disease, worsened by mold exposure.
Sutter explained that after going through a litany of testing and blood work over the last year, doctors determined that his body is susceptible to taking in mold toxins, which he is frequently exposed to as a firefighter.
"It seems to be that what happened is that my immune system was weakened through exposures to toxins and especially to mold," he said on wife Trista Sutter's podcast, Better Etc. "There are other people in the fire academy that probably had the same exposures who aren't dealing with these exposures because their genetics are stronger, they're able to get rid of the toxins easier."
He also tested positive for COVID-19 and Epstein-Barr virus, a common illness that causes mononucleosis.
"It's been hard," Trista said. "It's a really difficult thing to see the person you love most in the world struggling. And he's a big, strong guy, and oof - to see him get emotional and feel hopeless, in that all I could really do is advocate for him, so that's what I did."
In June 2022, the couple sat down with PEOPLE for an update on Ryan's health — and had good news.
"For so long, I was only thinking about how to survive the day," said Ryan. "But I feel like my life is coming back. And that's been really encouraging."
09 of 20 Kelley Flanagan Kelley Flanagan Kelley Flanagan. Kelley Flanagan/ instagram Bachelor alumna Kelly Flanagan shared "some not so good news" with her Instagram followers in August 2021 — she tested positive for Lyme disease.
The former Bachelor contestant posted a video on Instagram where she tearfully explained that she's been struggling with the news about her health.
"I'm not having the best day today," Flanagan said, before sharing that she tested positive for Lyme disease. The reality star said that she suspected that something was off because her body "is so much more sensitive and super reactive to a bunch of things."
"Two of my brothers have Lyme disease and a lot of their symptoms sounded really similar to me," she said. "Cause I've just always had something off since I was young, and like, really really had to take care of myself."
Flanagan said that she thinks "this is something that I've had maybe for a while," and she's partially relieved to have a diagnosis.
"It's a blessing and a curse because now I can target why I feel off so often but also means several different lifestyle changes and extensive research on how to help/hopefully cure this!" she wrote in the caption. "I know this is going to be tough for me seeing what my brothers have gone through mentally and physically but I'm going to put so much of my time and energy into figuring this out and combatting this."