Justin Timberlake Ditches Lowkey Life For Grammy Surprise

The musician who had to hibernate right after his tour last year could not pass up the golden opportunity to show Pharrell Williams just how much he cared right before the Grammys began.

Justin Timberlake revealed to his fans after his final tour show on July 31, 2025, that on most days while the shows went on, he found himself battling endless pain and fatigue due to the disease.

The former boy band member surprised Williams during the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event at The Fairmont in Los Angeles, which was held to honor the producer.

William was reportedly presented with the Dr. Dre Impact Award, which celebrates Williams’ musical achievement and his entrepreneurial innovations alongside sterling philanthropic efforts and cultural influence across the globe.

Timberlake reportedly took the microphone just before the award was presented to Williams and performed a 15-minute set of songs that they had worked on together over the years, including hits like “Rock Your Body” and “Señorita.”

During the award presentation, Timberlake stated that anyone who crossed paths with Williams will experience a positive change in their lives forever due to his impeccable character and talent.

As reported by PEOPLE, the singer recalled when he met Williams, during a period where he was finding his feet, and the warmth the producer gave him made all the difference.

“You changed my life. You changed my life. And I will forever, forever be grateful. And I know so many people in this room, and you can make some noise if you are inspired by this man,” Timberlake concluded.

Timberlake joined a host of other talents for the tribute session, which witnessed performances from Leon Thomas and Clipse, alongside other songs like “Happy,” “Beautiful,” and “I Just Wanna Love You” from his discography.

When accepting the award, Williams praised Timberlake for showing up for the community and proving just how much he loved everyone. The friendship between Williams and Timberlake has waxed stronger over two decades, during which they have collaborated on impressive musical projects.

The Neptunes, Williams’ former production duo with Chad Hugo, produced more than half of Timberlake’s 2002 debut solo album, “Justified.” The Neptunes also worked with Timberlake’s former boy group, NSYNC, in 2001 and produced their hit song “Girlfriend.”

Little wonder why Timberlake described Williams as one of his favorite people, who believed in him and taught him a lot, from music to just conversations.

The star took to Instagram on July 31, 2025, with a candid confession about the end of his tour and, most especially, his experiences while performing and dealing with a serious health issue. As shared by The Blast, Timberlake described his tour experience as a very fun, emotional, gratifying, and physically demanding one.

“I have been doing this for 30+ years (which feels crazy to say) and have given all that I have to this. I could not have done it without my family, friends, The TN Kids, and all of YOUR support,” the star added.

He then continued that while everyone knows him as a very private person, it has become essential for him to, in the spirit of reflection, reveal that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

While Timberlake does not want the sympathy that comes with these sorts of revelations, he, however, acknowledged that living with the disease can be a nightmare, but he chose to be resilient.

He noted that he struggled with nerve pain and fatigue in the wake of his shocking diagnosis, and he was stuck between quitting and fighting through his troubles.

“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,” Timberlake stated amid overwhelming appreciation for the fans and everyone else who made the “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” a success story.

At the end of Timberlake’s tour, sources stated that he was able to bank on the unwavering support of his wife to keep their family together. “Since Justin wrapped his tour over the summer, they’ve focused on family time. The tour was rough for everyone,” an insider explained.

The Blast shared from the informant that Timberlake and the rest of his family have been spending time together in Montana and Colorado.

At the same time, they celebrated 13 years of married life last October. The source stressed that “Even when life is down, they’re very committed to their marriage. They are happy and united.” 

The actress also made sure to put their sons’ needs on her priority list while showing up for Justin whenever the situation required it. Indeed, Biel’s support helped the family navigate Justin’s new normal while they spent time with each other more than ever.

Before his revelation, Timberlake had experienced attacks from fans who voiced concern over his tired appearance during the tour, where they always complained about him running out of breath.

On top of that, the singer and his wife also experienced a shake-down in their marriage, allegedly due to Timberlake’s irrational anger and outbursts. Sources shared that the singer was scared of returning home to see his wife in person, and he was getting advice to seek professional help for his anger issues.

Biel and Timberlake tied the knot in the Borgo Egnazia resort in Fasano, Southern Italy, in 2012, after he proposed in 2011. The intimate wedding ceremony had around 100 guests in attendance, including Jimmy Fallon and Andy Samberg.

What is next for Justin Timberlake after breaking his hibernation?