News | Entertainment
6 Jul 2025 11:35
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Francia Raisa says the joke about Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant that was featured in ‘Saved By The Bell’ was “dismissive to donors”

    The reboot of the hit sitcom was met with criticism in December after an episode featured two characters speculating about Selena’s transplant, which she underwent in 2017 when Francia – who is close friends with Selena – offered to be her donor


    Bosses of the reboot eventually edited the episode and removed the scenes – which saw two characters debating over who Selena’s donor was, as well as featuring graffiti which read “Does Selena Gomez even have kidneys?” – but Francia has now said she fears the damage to other donors has already been done.

    She said: “I was not offended by the dialogue that was said. I was offended by the spray paint written on the wall that said, ‘Does Selena Gomez even have kidneys’ and that just felt very dismissive to donors.

    “It’s a tough process. It’s a tough decision, and I was just afraid that, you know, if anyone trying to donate is looking for a sign from God to not to do it, and I just felt like that could have potentially made a donor to say no, I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to get made fun of.”

    The 32-year-old actress went on to acknowledge NBC’s apology for the comments, but said more needed to be done to help make donors feel appreciated, rather than focusing the apology on Selena’s feelings.

    Speaking during an appearance on ‘The Talk’, she added: “I just wish NBC in their public apology would have addressed potential donors or the donors that felt offended, and not just Selena.”

    In NBC’s apology, the company said it was “never their intention” to make 28-year-old Selena’s health into a joke.

    They said in a statement: "We apologise. It was never our intention to make light of Selena’s health. We have been in touch with her team and will be making a donation to her charity, The Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research at USC.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Jul: Capital FM DJ Aimee Vivian has been rushed to hospital with a life-threatening condition - just weeks after giving birth to her first child
     06 Jul: Kylie Jenner has taken a huge step in her relationship with Timothée Chalamet - by following him on Instagram
     06 Jul: Lizzo felt "very paranoid and isolated" and like she "could die" amid facing sexual harassment lawsuits from her former backing dancers
     06 Jul: Kanye West's Australian visa has been cancelled over his "offensive comments"
     06 Jul: Simone Ashley used to be too "afraid" to leave her house for fear of being recognised, after Bridgerton catapulted her to global fame
     06 Jul: John Cena absolutely loves fish and chips and a Full English Breakfast
     06 Jul: Gabriella Wilde describes her style as "tomboyish"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Scott Robertson is praising the impact of the All Blacks' four debutants in their scratchy 31-27 win over France in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Our newsroom's revealed more than 200 people were able to enter New Zealand on work visas for defunct businesses later exposed as fronts for a network of cannabis grow houses in Auckland More...



     Today's News

    International:
    The best ways to clean your home coffee machine 11:17

    Politics:
    Hire us or we'll leave, that's the stark message from New Zealand's nursing students 11:07

    Athletics:
    A personal best for shot putter Maddi Wesche at the Diamond League meet in Oregon 11:07

    Rugby:
    Scott Robertson is praising the impact of the All Blacks' four debutants in their scratchy 31-27 win over France in Dunedin 11:07

    Soccer:
    Real Madrid have survived a frenetic added time period to beat Dortmund 3-2 and advance to the last four at football's Club World Cup 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Capital FM DJ Aimee Vivian has been rushed to hospital with a life-threatening condition - just weeks after giving birth to her first child 11:06

    Law and Order:
    A 34-year-old man's been charged after allegedly setting fire to the front door of a Melbourne synagogue on Friday night - while people were inside 10:47

    Entertainment:
    Kylie Jenner has taken a huge step in her relationship with Timothée Chalamet - by following him on Instagram 10:36

    Accident and Emergency:
    A homicide investigation is underway following the death of a baby found with critical injuries at a Foxton Beach House 10:27

    Rugby:
    New All Blacks lock Fabian Holland is relishing being a winner on test debut 10:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd