The hits just keep on coming for season 13 “American Idol” winner Caleb Johnson. Weeks after fighting his former record label to put his music back online, the rocker is dealing with a parasitic infection that’s caused him to lose 30 pounds in a month.
On April 10, 2025, Johnson updated his fans in an Instagram Story, saying he was “hoping and praying” he’d feel better soon but that the infection “almost killed me.”
Caleb Johnson Says He’s Been Diagnosed With Giardia
One week after posting photos and footage from an “awesome” Connecticut show he performed in late March, Johnson posted an Instagram Story to let fans know he’s been quietly battling a severe illness.
“Hey yall,” Johnson wrote in a text-only message. “Please keep me in your prayers. I’ve been really sick for over a month and a half now and was just recently diagnosed with a parasitic infection called Giardia. It almost killed me.”
Giardia is a “microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water,” according to Mayo Clinic, which said symptoms of the intestinal infection it causes include stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea.
“I’ve lost 30 pounds in the month of March,” Johnson revealed in his Instagram Story. “I just started antibiotics this week and I’m hoping and praying that I start to feel better by tomorrow. I’ve had really bad fevers the last week and a half. Thank you.”
Though many people recover from Giardia without medical intervention, severe cases require antibiotics, per Mayo Clinic. At the time of publication, Johnson had not yet updated fans on his condition.
Caleb Johnson Still Tours Regularly & Has Fond Memories of ‘American Idol’
In sickness and in health, Johnson, who turns 34 on April 23, can often be found on the road — from performing his own rock concerts to touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra each holiday season since 2018. He also continues to release new music, including putting out the single “Blind” in November, featuring acclaimed guitarist Joe Bonamassa.
On March 9, as season 23 of “Idol” was kicking off, Johnson shared photos from his 2014 journey on the show, writing, “In honor of the new season of @americanidol here are some throwback pics to my time on the show! Had an absolute blast! Peep my stories for more throwback pics ⚡️”
Earlier in the year, the rock singer went to battle with his former record label, Interscope, when tunes and the “Fighting Gravity” music video from his first album, “Testify” — released after his big win — disappeared from YouTube and streaming platforms. Fortunately, he updated fans on February 27 that the label had agreed to return the missing music.
“That was my first record that I ever did after ‘American Idol,’” Johnson said of his “Testify” album, “and I’m just baffled as to why it’s been pulled down.”
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‘American Idol’ Winner Caleb Johnson Asks For Prayers Amid Severe Illness: ‘It Almost Killed Me’