Justin Bieber reveals he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease and a chronic viral infection
He opened up on Instagram
Last updated 9th Jan 2020
Justin Bieber has shocked fans by revealing that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease and a chronic viral infection called mononucleosis (mono). The pop star took to Instagram to share further details telling his fans that while many thought his recent change in appearance was due to drugs, it was actually because of 'Lyme disease.' He continued, 'not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.' sic
The 'Yummy' singer went on to explain that more details would be revealed in his upcoming docuseries on YouTube, Justin Bieber: Seasons, which will be released at the end of the month.
The 25-year-old continued, 'you can learn all that I've been battling and OVERCOMING!! It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever NO CAP'.
Following Bieber's announcement his wife Hailey Bieber tweeted her fans telling them to do research on what Lyme disease is before downplaying it. She went on to say, 'Please do your research and listen to the stories of people who have suffered with it for years. Making fun of and belittling a disease you don’t understand is never the way, all it takes is educating yourself.'
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is caused by ticks and according to the NHS website it causes a rash that can appear up to three months after being bitten by a tick which lasts for several weeks.
The NHS website also explains that, 'Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and there's not always an obvious rash.'
Which other celebrities have had Lyme disease?
Justin is not the only celebrity to have been affected by Lyme disease, Alec Baldwin, Bella Hadid and Avril Lavigne, also all been diagnosed with it in the past.
This latest news comes nearly a week after Justin dropped his new single 'Yummy', which we're playing on Northsound 1. Since releasing the official music video last weekend, Justin's latest song as had more than 32 million views on YouTube.
Now take a look through Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber's relationship timeline:
2009 - Justin and Hailey first meet
A fresh-faced, full-fringed Justin Bieber was first introduced to future model Hailey Baldwin by her father Stephen Baldwin at one of Justin's concerts. In a video shared on the now-defunct social media platform Vine, Stephen introduced 13-year-old Hailey to 15-year-old Justin backstage at a show.
February 2011 - Hailey attends Justin's Never Say Never premiere
Hailey and her dad attend the premiere of Justin's docu-film Never Say Never. The teens insisted they were just friends.
September 2011 - Hailey supports Jelena on Twitter
Hailey tells the world she's a big fan of Justin and Selena's relationship, tweeting: 'I don't care what anyone says but Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez together is the definition of a teenage dream! #word.'
December 2014 - Justin and Hailey deny romance
After spotted out together on a number of occasions, the relationship rumours came in thick and fast. In December 2014, both Hailey and Justin maintained they were just friends.
In an interview with E! News, Hailey explains: "I've known Justin Bieber since I was so young—since I was like 13—and we've just been good friends over the years. We have just stayed close and there's nothing more to it than that."
A few days later, Justin addresses the matter on his Instagram. He shares a pic with Hailey and writes: 'People are crazy. I'm super single and this is my good friend u would know otherwise (sic).'
January 2015 - Justin and Hailey party together
After seeing in the New Year together, Justin and Hailey were also spotted partying together at a Clippers game on 15th January 2015. They looked very cosy in a snap shared by mutual friend Kendall Jenner.
July 2015 - Justin and Hailey get matching tattoos
Justin and Hailey decided to get matching G tattoos as a tribute to Georgia Veach - a young girl who attended their church and suffered from Lissencephaly.
January 2016 - Hailey and Justin holiday together
Despite seemingly re-kindling his on/off relationship with Selena Gomez in December 2015, by January 2016 it was apparently off again. Justin took Hailey on his family holiday to Anguilla, seeing the New Year in together again.
January 2016 - The pair go Insta official
Justin confirmed his romance with Hailey in January 2016, posting a picture of them kissing on holiday.
February 2016 - 'It's complicated'
"He's about to go on tour," Hailey told E! in Feb 2016. "We are not an exclusive couple. Relationships at this age are already complicated, but I don't really like to talk about it because it's between me and him."
In the same month, Justin told GQ magazine: "What if Hailey ends up being the girl I'm gonna marry, right? If I rush into anything, if I damage her, then it's always gonna be damaged. It's really hard to fix wounds like that. It's so hard... I just don't want to hurt her."
August 2016 - Sofia Richie steps onto the scene
A lot can change in six months. By August 2016, Justin had unfollowed Hailey, gone Insta official with Sofia Richie and SERIOUSLY upset Selena Gomez.
After Biebs threatened to make his Insta private following the abuse Sofia had received, due to the flurry of couple photos Justin had posted, Selena hit back...
She wrote: 'If you can't handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol - it should be special between you two only. Don't be mad at your fans. They love you and supported you before any one ever did.'
Justin then deleted his Instagram.
June 2018 - Justin and Hailey are back together
After getting back with Selena in late 2017, and then splitting again around March 2018, speculation increased surrounding Justin and Hailey's rekindled romance. Fuelling the fire, a video surfaced of the pair having a snog in New York City in June.
In an interview with GQ, Justin hints Hailey is 'the one'.
July 2018 - Justin and Hailey are engaged
Justin reportedly proposed to Hailey at a restaurant whilst the couple were on holiday in the Bahamas on 7th July 2018. Fans apparently witnessed the moment, but Justin's 'people' reportedly told them not to film it.
July 2018 - Justin CONFIRMS the engagement to Hailey
Justin confirmed the engagement on Instagram, writing: 'Was gonna wait a while to say anything but word travels fast, listen plain and simple Hailey I am soooo in love with everything about you! So committed to spending my life getting to know every single part of you loving you patiently and kindLY.
'I promise to lead our family with honor and integrity letting Jesus through his Holy Spirit guide us in everything we do and every decision we make. My heart is COMPLETELY and FULLY YOURS and I will ALWAYS put you first!
'You are the love of my life Hailey Baldwin and I wouldn't want to spend it with anybody else. You make me so much better and we compliment each other so well!! Can't wait for the best season of life yet!. It's funny because now with you everything seems to make sense!
'The thing I am most excited for is that my little brother and sister get to see another healthy stable marriage and look for the same!!! Gods timing really is literally perfect, we got engaged on the seventh day of the seventh month, the number seven is the number of spiritual perfection, it's true GOOGLE IT! Isn't that nuts? By the way I didn't plan that, anyways.
'My goodness does feel good to have our future secured! WERE GONNA BE BETTER AT 70 BABY HERE WE GO! 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains FAVOR from the Lord!' This is the year of favor!!!!' (sic)
July 2018 - Hailey confirms the engagement on Twitter
Hailey also confirmed the engagement, writing on Twitter: 'Not sure what I did in life to deserve such happiness but I am so utterly grateful to God for giving me such an incredible person to share my life with! No words could ever express my gratitude. ❤️'
July 2018 - Justin and Hailey are reportedly already planning their wedding
According to Us Weekly, Justin and Hailey were hoping for a "small, intimate" wedding in Justin's native country of Canada. An insider close to the couple told the publication: "They are discussing having a very small wedding. They want something private, intimate. Justin loves Canada and is at home there. It's a special place for him and he'd love to get married there."
August 2018 - Friends of the couple refute the rumours
According to US celebrity news site TMZ, sources close to the couple say they had decided "not to rush to the altar" and to wait until the following year. The publication reported that "it's not because they're unsure," it's because they "feel they've made the commitment and that's the most important thing."
They went on to add that a "solid source" revealed that their whirlwind engagement shouldn't actually be considered as a quick decision: "Justin's been in love with her for a long time, so this didn't just come from out of the blue," adding that there were "a number of times" when Hailey and Justin got back together behind the scenes.
August 2018 - Hailey shows off her engagement ring
Hailey debuted her HUGE engagement ring from Justin on a photoshoot for Vogue, sharing the snap on her Instagram profile.
September 2018 - Justin and Hailey spotted at NYC courthouse
Justin and Hailey were spotted outside a courthouse in New York City well-known for issuing marriage licences, with eyewitnesses telling TMZ that they were spotted there on the 13th Sept, and that Justin even became teary-eyed over their upcoming nuptials, reportedly telling Hailey: 'I can't wait to marry you, baby.'
September 2018 - Justin spotted busking outside Buckingham Palace
The loved-up pair took a stroll through London, with Bieber whipping out his guitar outside Buckingham Palace and serenading Hailey with an acoustic version of his hit song 'Cold Water' as Hailey and an array of excited fans looking on. One fan of the 24-year-old filmed the whole thing, posting the clip to his Instagram page for us all to enjoy. Alongside the video, the fan wrote: 'Justin Bieber singing in front of Buckingham Palace today! #shook #lucky #justinbieber #streetconcert'. (sic)
September 2018 - Hailey opens up about her engagement
Hailey spoke out about the engagement in her first interview since Justin popped the question whilst they were on holiday in the Bahamas, calling it the "biggest OMG moment" of her life.
Speaking to Coveteur, Hailey was very coy about the subject, but did say, "Well, I got engaged! I think that's probably the biggest OMG moment of the year for me, of my life. So that's probably top."
October 2018 - Justin sparks rumours they're already married
The Daily Mail reported that Justin "let slip" he'd married his 21-year-old fiancée, as an eyewitness told the publication that they'd been dining near the couple at restaurant Joan's On Third in Los Angeles and had to ask.
They told the publication: "I said to them, 'I don't want to say congratulations, but are you married?' Justin said: 'Yes, we are married'.
"He explained that they have their ups and downs just like every other couple. He said he has a lot of baggage and called Hailey 'an angel' for sticking by his side, but she just rolled her eyes."
Well, that's pretty definitive!
November 2018 - Justin confirms he married Hailey Baldwin
In November 2018, Justin confirmed the speculation around his marital status with a very simple Instagram post that read: 'My wife is awesome.'
November 2018 - Justin speaks out on his first Thanksgiving as a married man
In case there was any doubt, Justin spoke about being a married man once again on Thanksgiving in 2018. He wrote: 'Happy late thanksgiving to everyone. First thanksgiving as a married man, first time hosting thanksgiving. First time both sides of the family has come together. Relationships are hard and love isn't always easy but thank you Jesus for showing me how! Every day is a learning process, trying to be more like him, patient, kind, selfless, boy I got a long way! But gods grace is sufficient !' (sic)
November 2018 - Hailey changed her surname on Instagram to Bieber
Model Hailey also confirmed the nuptials on Instagram by changing her name to Bieber.
January 2019 - Hailey and Justin are 'planning a big wedding'
Despite tying the knot the previous September, the Biebers were reportedly planning another wedding - but this time, they were going all out and planned to "surprise" their guests with a big party. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, a source close to the couple revealed that their big do would be on 28th February 2019, and they've already sent out 'save the date' cards.
The source said that the newlyweds were "so happy and inseparable," and that they were "thrilled they can finally share their love and commitment with family and friends." They added: "They want the music, entertainment and exciting details to be a big surprise for their guests. There was no location included in their text, because they want complete privacy. Everyone is in full preparation mode, and Justin plans to use his personal DJ to spin on the big day. They truly are planning a beautiful celebration and a party to be remembered."
April 2019 - Hailey and Justin prank the world with a pregnancy announcement
Fans were convinced Justin and his wife Hailey were expecting their first child on April Fool's Day after Justin shared a photo of a baby scan to Instagram with no caption. He then shared a photo of Hailey seemingly at the doctors having some sort of procedure, and wrote: 'If U thought it was April fools'. (sic)
However, he later shared a joke photo of a baby scan with a puppy inside it, writing: 'Wait omg is that a,,, APRIL FOOLS'. (sic) The singer's prank didn't go down well with some people, with various fans slamming the couple for being 'insensitive', something he later apologised for.
July 2019 - The couple celebrate their 'proposal anniversary'
Hailey Baldwin shared the cutest tribute to husband Justin Bieber on their one-year proposal anniversary. Taking to Instagram, she posted a photo of the two on her Instagram, showing the couple relaxing with her head rested on Justin's shoulder.
She captioned the image: '1 year ago I said yes to being your best friend for life, and today I have never loved you more.. life gets more beautiful everyday because of you, my heart belongs to you forever. Here's to learning and growing together.. ❤️'. (sic)
August 2019 - Justin pays tribute to Hailey after she helped him through 'personal difficulties'
Sharing a video of himself singing at their church, Justin wrote: 'Sang at church last night. God is pulling me through a hard season. Having trust in Jesus at your worst times is the absolute hardest. But he is faithful to complete what he started.
'I also want to thank my wife for being such a huge support in my life through this season.. it says in the bible count it ALL JOY when you face trials of various kinds. Sounds insane considering when u face trials u feel terrible.
'But if we are grateful and worship god for what we do have in that season there is so much power in that... whatever pain you are going through just keep telling yourself THIS WONT LAST! Love you guys we in this together.' (sic)
September 2019 - Second wedding ceremony
On 30th September 2019, Justin and Hailey held a second wedding ceremony at the Somerset Chapel before heading to the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort in South Carolina. Justin shared some stunning black and white snaps on his Instagram.
September 2023 - Justin and Hailey celebrate five years of marriage
Justin and Hailey celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in September 2023, with both of them sharing a series of loved-up snaps on Instagram to celebrate the special milestone.
May 2024 - They announce they're having a baby
In May 2024 - Thursday 9th, to be precise - Justin and Hailey took to Instagram to share the news that they're expecting their first baby! Sharing a series of videos and stunning photos from a pregnancy shoot, the pair announced the happy news with the simple captions of just tagging each other.
August 2024 - The couple become first time parents
On Friday 23rd August, Justin took to Instagram to share this adorable photo, announcing the pair welcomed a baby boy called Jack Blues Bieber into the world.
You can hear 'Yummy' by Justin Bieber on Northsound 1.
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