Justin Bieber Opens Up About Lyme Disease Diagnosis and Media Scrutiny.
In January 2020, Justin Bieber, 30 made a heartfelt and emotional announcement about his health. The pop superstar revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition that had significantly impacted his physical and mental well-being for quite some time. Bieber also shared that, in addition to Lyme disease, he had been battling a severe case of Chronic Mono (mononucleosis), which further complicated his recovery.
Justin Bieber (@justinbieber Instagram)
The news came as a surprise to many, as the singer had been noticeably stepping back from the public eye in the months leading up to the revelation. In a candid Instagram post, Bieber opened up about his health struggles, writing:
“I’ve recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease, and on top of that, I had a severe case of chronic mono that impacted my skin, brain function, energy, and overall well-being. 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.”
The emotional message resonated with many fans, as Bieber had long been dealing with the toll of his health issues without sharing the full extent of his struggles. Lyme disease, which is transmitted through a tick bite, can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive difficulties. Bieber’s honesty about his health battles helped raise awareness of the disease, which is surprisingly prevalent, even among celebrities.
Media Scrutiny Amid Health Struggles
While Bieber’s fans expressed support, he also faced significant scrutiny from the media. In the weeks following his diagnosis, the pop star took to Instagram again, this time to address what he saw as an unfair portrayal by the press. Justin expressed his frustration over how certain unflattering photos of him, taken during his health battles, were being used by tabloids and magazines to depict him in a negative light.
Hailey Bieber (@haileybieber Instagram)
In an emotional Instagram Story, Bieber shared:
“I don’t know what the algorithm is for why certain photos come up, but this is so frustrating considering that I took a lot of time to get healthy and I feel as though people try to legitimately sabotage me. This was a time where I was really unhealthy. I was battling Lyme disease, right? All of the top photos are me looking disheveled, right? I was obviously going through a tough time, but it’s like, these are the photos that the media tries to run with.”
His frustration stemmed from what he felt was a deliberate attempt by the media to tarnish his image during a vulnerable time. Despite his efforts to recover, the press continued to use images of him looking sick, reinforcing negative narratives about his well-being.
A Continued Fight Against Media Misrepresentation
As time went on, the situation didn’t improve, and Bieber found himself once again confronting the media’s portrayal of him. A few months later, he returned to social media to once again ask for a fairer representation of his image. Bieber expressed disbelief over the persistence of these unflattering photos being used in articles about him, despite the fact that he had since made significant progress in his recovery.
He said:
“I’m still in shock we are still using those photos of me, I’m telling you, media wants to pick bad photos of me to make it look like I’m not okay. There have been countless photos and opportunities for media to pick up other photos, but they still run with this one to make me look sick and unwell, it’s not right. I’ve done a lot of photo shoots since then and yeah, they don’t have to put these photos, but they do. I don’t know why.”
Bieber’s message continued with a more positive note as he showed his recovery:
“I mean, look at my skin now. There are so many photos they can choose.”
Justin Bieber and Hailey first met in 2009 when they were introduced by pastor Carl Lentz of Hillsong Church. At the time, Hailey was just 13 years old and Justin was 15. Although they met at a young age, their initial interaction was brief, and they remained friends for several years before their relationship evolved.
Over the next few years, Justin and Hailey crossed paths at various events, but it wasn’t until 2015 that they started to spend more time together. During this period, they shared a few public moments, such as appearing in photos together at events, but they were never officially an item. Their bond remained platonic for a while, with both Justin and Hailey focused on their respective careers.
Justin with Hailey (@justinbieber Instagram)
In 2016, rumors about them dating began circulating, especially after they were spotted together in public on several occasions. However, they kept their relationship casual and remained on good terms. Hailey even expressed her admiration for Justin in interviews, calling him a “great guy” and mentioning that they were “just friends.”
The real turning point came in 2018, when the two reconnected while Justin was going through a personal transformation. After Justin’s breakup with Selena Gomez and a period of reflection and growth, he and Hailey started spending more time together again. Their relationship quickly intensified, and by the summer of 2018, Justin proposed to Hailey in a private setting in the Bahamas after just a few months of dating. The proposal was spontaneous, and they were both deeply in love, leading to their engagement.
In September 2018, Justin and Hailey were married in a civil ceremony in New York City, keeping the details of the event private. They later held a larger celebration with family and friends in South Carolina in 2019, marking the formalization of their union. Over the years, their relationship has been marked by public displays of affection, mutual support, and respect for each other’s personal and professional lives.
Despite facing media scrutiny, the couple has been open about their love and commitment to each other, often sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Justin has referred to Hailey as his “best friend” and “the love of his life,” and Hailey has expressed her gratitude for the partnership they share.
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