In September, former Disney star Selena Gomez shocked fans when she shared on social media that she had spent the summer recovering from a kidney transplant. The organ, which was donated by the songstress’s dear friend and fellow actress Francia Raisa, was needed due to complications from Lupus—an inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to attack healthy tissue.
She hasn’t spoken about it publicly beyond her statement, and will finally break the silence in an interview set to air Monday on NBC.
“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,” Gomez wrote on Instagram at the time.
“I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery,” she continued. “And finally, 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.”
Aside from her emotional post, the 25-year-old has not spoken publicly about the transplant, but Gomez and Raisa will be opening up about the experience in an interview with Today show host Savannah Guthrie set to air Monday. In a sneak peek of the conversation, Gomez explains just how much her health had deteriorated.
“My kidneys were just done. That was it,” she said tearfully. “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.”
“You feel that Francia saved your life,” Guthrie responded.
“Because she did. That’s it,” Gomez said emphatically. “I guess I got to the point where it was really, kind of, life or death.”
While Gomez has been quite open about the sometimes crippling mental, physical, and emotional effects of living with a chronic disease like Lupus, she has never shared the severity of her condition in such detail. She has, however, encouraged her followers to learn more about Lupus. When she initially broke the news of her transplant earlier this fall, she closed by thanking fans for their love and support and asking them to read up.
“I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you,” Gomez wrote on Instagram. “Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website… by grace through faith.”
(H/T: E News)