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In a last-minute announcement that left thousands of fans disappointed, Justin Timberlake canceled the final U.S. show of his "Forget Tomorrow World Tour" at Columbus, Ohio's Nationwide Arena on February 27, 2025.
"You guys, I'm heartbroken," the 44-year-old singer shared via Instagram just hours before the scheduled performance. "I have to cancel the show tonight. I went into soundcheck battling the flu and now it's gotten the best of me."
The cancellation came with particularly short notice, announced approximately 30 minutes before doors were set to open, leaving many fans who had already arrived at the venue frustrated. Some had traveled significant distances for the concert, including one supporter who flew in from California.
This marks the second postponement for the Columbus show, which was originally scheduled for late October 2024 but delayed when Timberlake was diagnosed with bronchitis and laryngitis. "It kills me to disappoint you and my team who worked so hard to make this show happen," Timberlake added in his statement.
The tour has faced various challenges, including criticism from music reviewers. The Minnesota Star Tribune's Jon Bream noted that Timberlake's recent performance at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center featured too many tracks from his 2024 album "Everything I Thought It Was" rather than the hits fans came to hear.
Ticket sales have reportedly been lackluster, with seats still available on the day of the canceled Columbus show. The tour also follows Timberlake's June 2024 DWI arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, during which he reportedly told officers, "This is gonna screw up the tour."
Despite the setbacks, many fans expressed support for the singer's decision to prioritize his health. "Your health comes first. True fans know that," wrote one Instagram user who had traveled across the country for the show.
Just one day before the cancellation, Timberlake had shared a heartfelt post thanking his tour crew: "Only one more show to go... and I wanted to take a minute to shout out this incredible tour family. These are the people who keep this whole thing running."
According to official tour information, Timberlake is scheduled to resume performances on March 21 in Buenos Aires, kicking off the international leg of his tour, which includes more than 20 shows across a four-month span before concluding in Paris on July 20.
Timberlake assured Columbus ticket holders that they would receive refunds. The singer, who released "Everything I Thought It Was" in March 2024 following a six-year gap since his previous album "Man in the Woods," has maintained a dedicated fanbase despite recent controversies.
