Earlier today Justin Bieber took to Instagram to tell the world he’s been suffering with Lyme disease.
[jwplayer NQjBCmN6]
In the post, he explained the intention behind opening up about his illness. He didn’t do it for attention, he didn’t do it so you’d all rush to stream his new single, he did it so the online critics who have been relentless about his appearance, particularly over the past year, would back the hell off.
“While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like shit, on meth etc. they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease,” he began.
“Not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EnV5VHEYp/
Such a raw, candid, emotional caption would surely draw sympathy and messages of support from fans, right?
Wrong.
The public has not only been completely unsympathetic or at the very least apologetic for how they’ve spoken about him while suffering from the disease, they’ve instead accused him of faking the illness for publicity which is pretty abhorrent, if you ask me.
But why am I surprised?
Selena Gomez copped all kinds of abuse after revealing to fans in a similar way that she had been suffering from lupus.
The girl legit shared a photo from a hospital bed with the following lengthy, emotional caption and while this prompted love and support from many, her critics were still wide and vocal.
I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith
Look, I’m the first one to question the validity of celebrity stunts from the Jordyn Woods / Tristan Thompson / Kardashian cheating scandal to whether or not the intentions of Bachelors are pure, but I absolutely do not have the right to question whether or not someone actually has an illness just because they’re a celebrity.
And newsflash: neither do you.
In the past, heck, even in this Insta post, Justin has been very open about his struggle with mental health and while he was forced to endure loads of nasty comments about his appearance, he sure as shit should not have to endure accusations that he is faking an illness.
You see, Justin didn’t have to tell us that he was unwell. We are absolutely not entitled to that information. But he clearly did divulge it in order to silence his critics but sadly it only made them louder.
I think the problem is that people often forget that celebrities are human beings and therefore they feel entitled to demand proof of their illness.
Guess what guys, you’re not entitled to that. And the scores of tweets, Insta posts and memes poking fun at him are nothing but a vicious attack launched on a person struggling with Lyme disease as well as mental health issues.
No one deserves that kind of abuse, celebrity or not.
Stop with the accusations. Stop with the body shaming. Just stop.
