News | Entertainment
29 Dec 2025 12:15
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 has received an apology from the producers of 'Saved by the Bell' after the show joked about Selena Gomez's kidney transplant

    The rebooted version of the hit sitcom was widely criticised on social media over the weekend after an episode featured two characters speculating about Selena's donor, and although Francia - who donated her organ to her pal after she suffered complications from lupus - has been in touch with the makers of the programme, she's concerned the gag may have hurt other donors


    The 32-year-old actress said on her Instagram Story: "Some of the cast and producers have reached out to me personally to apologize for this and I truly appreciate that.

    "But I do want to acknowledge that this public apology from the network should acknowledge the donors that could have been offended by this. It's not about me, it's about acknowledging the great role that donors play (sic)"

    During episode six of the reboot, two of the show's stars argued over who actually donated a kidney to Selena.

    One of the actresses said: "I know for a fact that Selena Gomez’s kidney donor was Justin Bieber‘s mom. God, I wish that I had my phone so that I could prove it."

    In response, the other said: "Prove what? That you’re an idiot? It was Demi Lovato‘s kidney. They’re best friends, like you and I were."

    During another scene, the words "Does Selena Gomez even have a kidney?" are seen written on the walls.

    The controversial scenes prompted the hashtag #RespectSelenaGomez to start trending on Twitter, with fans of the music star taking to the micro-blogging platform to express their anger.

    The show’s ex ecutive producers, Peacock and NBCUniversal subsequently issued an apology.

    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
     29 Dec: Brigitte Bardot defined the modern woman and defied social norms
     29 Dec: Brigitte Bardot, iconic French actor, sex symbol and animal rights campaigner, dies aged 91
     28 Dec: King Charles' Christmas speech will be available in virtual reality
     28 Dec: Lily Allen has been "shopping like an insane person" following the success of her album West End Girl
     28 Dec: Sean Ono Lennon fears that younger generations could forget about The Beatles
     28 Dec: Chris Rea shared a poignant social media post in the hours before his death
     28 Dec: Emma Heming Willis admits that Christmas has "changed" since her husband Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Nick Kyrgios has blitzed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 across what has been coined their battle-of-the-sexes tennis match in Dubai More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Melbourne could be facing water-restrictions from low-rainfall, a dry summer, and high water-use More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Football Ferns midfielder Emma Pijnenburg has joined the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League 12:07

    International:
    Inside Big Ben, a London icon that's been ringing since 1859 12:07

    Living & Travel:
    The first sea lion pup of the season has arrived - marking the start of the pakake breeding period 11:57

    Cricket:
    An end to the professional cricket career of New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell 11:47

    Education:
    Belief the trending popularity of life skills and personal development classes in high schools will continue 11:17

    Law and Order:
    Brigitte Bardot defined the modern woman and defied social norms 11:17

    Politics:
    Voter turnout lower than expected in Myanmar's first election since 2020 11:17

    Environment:
    Much of the country is under weather watches and warnings - with heavy rain battering many major holiday destinations 11:07

    Law and Order:
    Several alleged offenders are yet to be located, after two serious brawls in Auckland yesterday 10:57

    Cricket:
    The architect behind one of the great modern era moments in New Zealand cricket has retired 10:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd