News | Entertainment
5 Nov 2025 21:05
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
     05 Nov: Offset is being sued for allegedly attacking a security guard
     05 Nov: Katy Perry seemingly confirmed her romance with Justin Trudeau during a concert this week
     05 Nov: The Prince and Princess of Wales have moved house
     05 Nov: Idris Elba and his wife have reportedly been targeted by a stalker
     05 Nov: Lily James craves "challenges"
     05 Nov: Keira Knightley feels "fortunate" to have survived her early experiences of fame
     05 Nov: Margot Robbie would be Ariana Madix's dream contestant on Love Island
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Leicester Fainga'anuku believes the switch to test rugby in the midfield isn't too daunting More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The long awaited economic recovery could be beginning - with expectation unemployment's hit its peak More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Offset is being sued for allegedly attacking a security guard 20:37

    Entertainment:
    Katy Perry seemingly confirmed her romance with Justin Trudeau during a concert this week 20:07

    Entertainment:
    The Prince and Princess of Wales have moved house 19:37

    Entertainment:
    Idris Elba and his wife have reportedly been targeted by a stalker 19:07

    Business:
    The long awaited economic recovery could be beginning - with expectation unemployment's hit its peak 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Lily James craves "challenges" 18:37

    Environment:
    The number of Southerners without power is down to double digits - nearly two weeks since wild winds cut nearly 25 thousand homes off 18:37

    International:
    Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is a prince no more but will this be enough to quell public anger? 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Keira Knightley feels "fortunate" to have survived her early experiences of fame 18:07

    Cricket:
    Black Caps white-ball skipper Mitch Santner is backing Devon Conway to rediscover his form in the five-game T20 series against the West Indies, starting tonight at Eden Park 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd