Francia Raisa Breaks Silence: The Truth Behind Selena Gomez's Kidney Donation

Francia Raisa and Selena Gomez Broadimage/Shutterstock; Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Francia Raisa refuted allegations that she was unwilling to donate her kidney to Selena Gomez. During an episode of the "Good Guys" podcast on Tuesday, August 1, Raisa, 35, stated, "I had a strong intuition and knew it was a compatible match. No one coerced me into it. It was an act of genuine kindness from the depths of my heart. I have been incredibly fortunate ever since."

The actress, who recently clarified that there was no animosity between her and Gomez, 31, proceeded to discuss the aftermath of the surgery.

"We publicly disclosed our situation years ago, and honestly, we had to," she reminisced. "But as for what has been happening recently, does anyone prepare you for these kinds of things? Never. We are never prepared for these types of things. It always catches me off guard. I'm unsure if it's beneficial or not."

Raisa has taken measures to steer clear of the virtual speculation surrounding the connection between the two individuals. She expresses, "I refrain from reading the comments as I find it emotionally challenging. It truly affects me. On certain occasions, I withdraw from the online platform due to the unkindness of individuals. People can be incredibly hurtful. They strike you right in the core. Once, someone accused me of seeking attention because my career is failing. This prompted me to question, 'Is my career really failing?'"

Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa Matt Baron/Shutterstock

After several years of friendship, Raisa donated a kidney in 2017 amid Gomez’s battle with lupus.

"So I discovered that I required a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was undergoing recovery. It was necessary for my overall well-being," Gomez wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of herself and Raisa in the hospital. "There are no words to express my gratitude towards my amazing friend Francia Raisa. She selflessly gave me the ultimate gift by donating her kidney. I am incredibly fortunate. I love you dearly, sis."

Raisa, on her part, later shared her reasons for aiding Gomez. "We were discussing our day, and she grabbed a water bottle from the fridge but couldn't open it," she revealed in a 2018 interview with W Magazine. "She threw it on the ground and collapsed, bursting into tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, 'I need a new kidney. I don't know what to do, the waitlist is seven to ten years.' And in that moment, without thinking, I said, 'I'll get tested.'"

Rumors of a potential rift between the duo began circulating after fans noticed a decrease in their public appearances together. Speculation continued when Gomez shared insight into her relationships within the Hollywood industry during an interview. Opening up in a November 2022 Rolling Stone interview, she candidly expressed, "I never quite fit in with the cool group of celebrity girls. Taylor [Swift] is really my only close friend in the industry, so I often felt like I didn't belong." Avoiding mention of any other friendships, Gomez shed light on her personal experience.

Raisa's initial reaction to the remark appeared to be "Interesting," as she commented on an Instagram post. Afterwards, she decided to unfollow Gomez on social media.

However, last month, Gomez pleasantly surprised fans by expressing her admiration for Raisa in a birthday tribute. On July 26, Gomez wrote on Instagram, "Wishing the happiest of birthdays to this amazing individual. Regardless of where life leads us, I love you. ❤️ @franciaraisa."

Raisa dismissed rumors of any tension with Gomez, clarifying to TMZ a few days later, "I received a lot of wonderful birthday messages. I genuinely appreciate all of them. ... It's a fresh start, you know."