Justin Timberlake made his first public performance since revealing a diagnosis of Lyme disease, appearing on stage in Los Angeles on Thursday night to pay tribute to longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams. The performance took place during the Recording Academy Honors Black Music Collective event, where Williams was recognized for his impact on music and culture.
The appearance marked Timberlake’s first live performance since the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour in 2024. That tour ended after more than a year on the road and was followed by the singer’s disclosure that he had been battling Lyme disease throughout the final stretch of shows. Since then, Timberlake has largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
At the event, Timberlake performed a selection of songs closely associated with his creative partnership with Williams, including “Rock Your Body,” “Like I Love You” and “Senorita.” He also delivered parts of Williams’ own catalogue, underscoring the collaborative history between the two artists that helped shape early-2000s pop and R&B. The performance was met with a standing ovation from attendees.
Williams, who was the focus of the evening’s honors, acknowledged Timberlake during his acceptance remarks, thanking him for his support and for what he described as a reminder of their shared connection with the broader music community.
Timberlake, who rose to prominence with NSYNC before launching a successful solo career, revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis one day after the final date of his world tour in July 2024. In a social media post at the time, he described the condition as physically and mentally debilitating, while explaining that continuing to perform had been a personal decision driven by his connection to live audiences.
Since making that announcement, Timberlake has not released new music or made further public appearances until Thursday’s event. His most recent album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” was released in 2024 and reached the top five of the Billboard 200 chart.
The Recording Academy Honors Black Music Collective event is designed to celebrate contributions to Black music across genres, and Timberlake’s appearance added to the significance of the evening. While no future performances have been announced, his return to the stage was widely seen as a notable moment, given his recent health disclosure and extended absence from live events.
For now, the performance stands as a rare public moment for Timberlake since his diagnosis, and as a high-profile acknowledgment of his longstanding creative relationship with Pharrell Williams.
