Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have weathered their share of highs and lows, but his Lyme disease diagnosis ultimately brought them closer than ever and answered a lot of questions that long lingered in their relationship, a source tells Us Weekly exclusively.
“Before Justin knew he had Lyme disease he was suffering from a lot of symptoms and they were having more serious problems then,” the source revealed.
“There were trust issues and behavior issues,” continued the source, and it was only after understanding his health struggles that “it started making more sense to the both of them.”
And despite recent reports that the Better Sister actress has “had it” with some of Timberlake’s recent behavior and “issued an ultimatum” to her husband to clean up his act or she’ll leave, a source tells Us they are “in a good place.”
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Over the course of his 30-year career and nearly 14-year marriage (Timberlake and Biel tied the knot on October 19, 2012 in Puglia, Italy), the singer has faced some controversies, including the 2004 Super Bowl “nipplegate” incident with Janet Jackson, being photographed holding hands with his Palmer costar Alisha Wainwright in 2019, bombshell revelations in Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir claiming he cheated on her and she was pregnant with his baby at one point during their relationship (which lasted from 1999 to 2002) and he wanted her to have an abortion. And more recently, Timberlake was arrested on a DWI charge in Sag Harbor, New York, in June 2024.
As Us reported at the time of his arrest, although Biel was “upset” and “worried about him,” the couple were on solid ground six months later, “spending more time together” and feeling “happier and more relaxed,” per a source. While Biel showed “patience and compassion,” she was also holding him accountable as they worked to “rebuild trust” in their relationship.
It was just over a year after his arrest that Timberlake revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis on social media after wrapping up his Forget Tomorrow World Tour in July 2025, explaining his private battle with the illness, including experiencing a “massive amount of nerve pain” and extreme fatigue.
“This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience,” he wrote via Instagram. “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,” he continued. “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. 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.”
The announcement, which Biel shared alongside a photo of Timberlake hugging their son Silas, helped the couple shed some light on past issues, says the first source.
“There were trust issues and behavior issues leaving [Jessica] concerned and confused. A lot of their issues had to do with communication,” adds the source.
“And a lot of it was due to things out of his control. Certain behaviors were beyond his control and as they both started learning more it started making more sense to the both of them.”
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“When Jessica learned more about it, it completely changed how she viewed his actions. Jessica became more understanding,” the source continues.
“A lot of stuff that used to be problematic was viewed differently because Jessica was looking at it from a different lens. Jessica is very understanding of all of that now. She is not upset by the things that upset her in the past.”
After all the years of uncertainty and how “hard” it’s been for the “Mirrors” singer, according to the source, it ended up being a positive turning point for them.
“They’ve become closer,” the insider adds. “Everything is fine with them and they’re in a good place. Jessica is focused on supporting him however she can. She’s going to be there for him for the long term.
“[Justin] doesn’t have a drinking problem or drug problem. It’s all related to struggles he had with Lyme disease.”
Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for Timberlake and Biel for comment.
The A-list pair, who split their time living in Tennessee and Montana, share sons Silas, now 10, and Phineas, 5, with the whole family standing by the crooner’s side and cheering him on while he was on tour.
“I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself,” Timberlake added when he shared his truth about the diagnosis. “But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.”
And he concluded the message with a special shout-out, writing, “To Jess, Silas, and Phin nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way.”
