Selena Gomez Opens Up About Life-Saving Kidney Transplant In First Interview

In September, Selena Gomez revealed on Instagram that she had undergone a kidney transplant. The pop star needed the transplant due to complications from lupus, the chronic autoimmune disease from which she suffers. So her best friend, actress Francia Raisa, donated one of her kidneys.

Now, just a few months later, Gomez and Raisa are opening up about the experience in their first TV interview since the procedure. Their interview with Savannah Guthrie recently aired on the “Today” show.

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When Gomez first revealed her kidney transplant, she wrote on Instagram:

“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.”

Gomez and Raisa both posted clips of their “Today” interview on Instagram lat week:

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“My kidneys were just done. I didn’t want to ask a single person in my life and that was the day, when I came home, I found out she volunteered and did it,” a somber Gomez says, speaking of Raisa.

In a 2013 interview with Latina, Raisa explained how the two met. “Six years ago Disney and ABC Family had the stars of their shows go to the Children’s Hospital,” she said. “Selena and I were in the same group and just clicked.”

It seems like the two have been the best of friends ever since, if social media is any indication. Back in 2016, Raisa shared a photo of herself and Gomez, thanking her friend for helping her through her own tough time:

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Raisa wrote in her caption:

“I went through heartbreak this year and you left the studio and drove out of your way to come see me and comfort me. I received good news last month and you Facetimed me minutes before you went up on stage just to congratulate me. There are so many moments we have and things you do that I cherish and don’t take for granted.”

It’s so inspiring the way these two friends have each other’s backs. We wish Gomez all the best in her continued recovery and fight with lupus.

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