TOUCHED BY LYME: Justin Bieber’s Lyme disease story lights up the internet
Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber lit up the internet this week, by announcing to the world that he has Lyme disease.
Of course, I don’t wish this miserable illness on anybody. But there’s no denying that when a famous person says they have Lyme disease, it makes news. And helps raise awareness for everybody else.
Celebrity gossip site TMZ broke the story early Wednesday morning. Bieber then shared that with his 124 million Instagram followers.
According to TMZ, Bieber will unveil a multi-part documentary on his YouTube channel starting on January 27. It will reportedly discuss the “scary symptoms” he endured throughout most of 2019—until he was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Lots of news outlets have picked up the story. Here’s a sampling of national and international outlets:
Good Morning, America: Justin Bieber reveals he has Lyme disease: What to know about the infectious disease
Washington Post: Justin Bieber looks like a drug addict, fans said. Then the singer revealed he has Lyme disease.
BBC: Justin Bieber: Singer reveals he has Lyme disease
Ouest-France: Le chanteur Justin Bieber atteint de la maladie de Lyme
Kalowna Daily Courier: Bieber’s Lyme disease shines light on issues surrounding complicated illness
Many local news outlets have also taken this opportunity to interview Lyme patients in their area, in reaction to the news about Bieber. Here’s one from Minneapolis, Minnesota:
Lyme disease advocates hope Justin Bieber diagnosis will raise more awareness of devastating disease
My message to @JustinBieber: The Lyme Community feels your pain. We hope you’re getting the help you need to overcome this serious condition. We’ll be watching your documentary to find out more. God bless.
TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, LymeDisease.org’s Director of Communications. She is co-author of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org.
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