In a surprising twist, Justin Timberlake postponed the last U.S. performance of his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 27, 2025, mere minutes before it was scheduled to start. The 44-year-old performer announced on Instagram that he was fighting the flu and it was impossible for him to perform.
“You guys, I’m devastated,” Timberlake said. “I’m canceling the show tonight. I came into soundcheck fighting the flu, and now it got the best of me.” He was apologetic to both fans and staff, noting that they had put in effort in preparing for the event. In spite of making ticket refunds available, the fact that it happened at short notice made many people angry.
They criticized on social media that the notice was given roughly 15 minutes prior to when the concert should have begun, with many people already within the Nationwide Arena. One of the fans said, “Canceling due to sickness is understandable, but canceling 10 minutes before the door opens is not acceptable.” Another said, “Some of us traveled and rebooked hotels not once, but twice; this is not refundable.”
This Columbus performance of Columbus had earlier been delayed in October 2024 when Timberlake had been diagnosed with bronchitis and laryngitis. He then made the announcement to fans, explaining that he was disappointed and wanted to make up for it to them. The series of delays has heightened frustrations among fans, particularly for those who had made huge travel plans to attend.
The “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” kicked off in Vancouver in April 2024, shortly after the album release of Timberlake’s album “Everything I Thought It Was” in March of the same year. The tour has been a major venture, with various shows throughout North America. Though the recent failure, the tour is set to proceed internationally, with the next show scheduled to be on March 21 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at Lollapalooza Argentina. The tour is scheduled to end in Paris on July 20, 2025.
In an impassioned Instagram pre-Columbus cancellation post, Timberlake hailed his tour staff, saying, “Only one more show to go. and I wanted to take a moment to give a huge shout-out to this amazing tour family. These are the.” The appreciation highlights the collaborative effort it takes to plan big tours and the effect a cancellation has on everyone involved.
Although health is the top concern, the announcement timing has also raised issues of communications and contingency planning in the entertainment industry. The fans have prayed for better protocols to avoid last-minute cancellations, particularly if audiences have made time and resources to attend.
As Timberlake works on his recovery, fans across the globe continue to wait with bated breath for the resumption of the “Forget Tomorrow World Tour.” The incident is a reminder of the nature of live performances and how the well-being of the artist matters in providing quality entertainment.
