Francia Raisa, the actress who donated her kidney to singer and actress Selena Gomez, has finally addressed rumors of a feud between them. In a recent interview at a book event, the 37-year-old denied reports that her relationship with Gomez had soured. "It's all just a rumor," Raisa said firmly.
The star of the drama 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' also touched on Gomez's wedding to Benny Blanco which had just taken place and which she did not attend. "I knew she was getting married, and I was so happy for her.
Look, she has her own life, she's a billionaire, and I'm grateful I could do something meaningful for her," she said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. When asked about her views on organ donation, Raisa explained that the act is not about creating a special bond with the recipient, but rather about saving a life.
"From the beginning, the doctors said it was a donation. If you donate money to a charity, you don't call and ask, 'What are you doing with my money?' Donating is an act of kindness, and I'm grateful to be able to do it. I'm grateful to be alive and to be able to say I saved a life," the 37-year-old explained.
Raisa donated her kidney to Gomez in 2017 after the 33-year-old actress and singer was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect vital organs, including the kidneys. The transplant nearly cost Gomez her life, as her main artery ruptured during the operation.
In a 2018 interview, Raisa admitted that both of them experienced depression after the surgery. "A social worker warned me that the recipient would recover faster because they were getting something they needed, whereas you were losing something you didn't need to lose. And that was hard," she recalled in an interview with Self.
Their relationship became strained in 2022 after Gomez revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that her only close friend in the entertainment industry was Taylor Swift. Raisa then posted a short comment, "Interesting," on social media, sparking speculation of a conflict.
Gomez responded, "Sorry if I didn't mention everyone I know." However, in the Apple TV+ documentary "Dear...," Selena Gomez briefly mentioned Francia. The 33-year-old singer and actress admitted that Francia was a significant influence in her life. "I will never be able to repay someone like Francia.
Her decision to donate her kidney without a second thought was truly incredible," Gomez admitted. Raisa admitted that she and Gomez hadn't spoken for several years. However, Raisa said they have reconciled. "We didn't talk much for six years, especially in the last year. But we made up around my 35th birthday," she told USA Today.
Post a Comment