For the first time since revealing she had undergone a kidney transplant, singer Selena Gomez and her donor and friend Francia Raisa, talked publicly about the procedure on the Today show in an exclusive interview airing next week.
In a sneak peek, an emotional Gomez, 25, says “My kidneys were just just done. That was it. And I didn’t want to ask a single person in my life, and that was the day I came home when I found that she volunteered and she did it.” When Savannah Guthrie says, “You feel like she saved your life,” Gomez replied, “Because she did. That’s it. I guess I got to the point where it was really kind of life or death.”
Fans were shocked when Gomez revealed in mid-September that she had undergone a secret kidney transplant over the summer as she shared a photo of herself and Raisa lying in hospital beds holding hands. “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.”
In the post, she also explained that the transplant was needed following complications from Gomez’s chronic autoimmune disease Lupus. “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.”
The full interview with Gomez and Raisa airs on Monday, October 30 and Tuesday, October 31 on the Today show.
Telisa Carter
Telisa enjoys learning and writing about all things entertainment in the world of Hollywood. When she isn't catching up on her favorite TV shows, she likes to read, and obsess over all things football.
