News | Entertainment
11 Jan 2026 16:02
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."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     11 Jan: Minnie Driver is "so glad" she found love with her fiancé Addison O'Dea
     11 Jan: Sarah Jessica Parker has hinted she is keen to play her Sex and the City character again
     11 Jan: Jenny McCarthy faces bedroom "challenges" with Donnie Wahlberg because she's constantly battling to block out his snoring
     11 Jan: Nikki Glaser has been warned off making jokes about "America's sweetheart" Julia Roberts at the Golden Globe Awards
     11 Jan: Shaun Ryder was forced to miss Gary 'Mani' Mounfield's funeral because he was struck down with a bout of pneumonia
     11 Jan: Jessie Buckley "wasn't well" during her stint on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "bonkers" TV talent show I'd Do Anything
     11 Jan: Bethenny Frankel has launched a foul-mouthed rant defending Tom Brady and Alix Earle's rumoured age-gap relationship
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Giant Slalom skiing star Alice Robinson isn't switching focus despite surprise showings in a different discipline More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand households and small businesses will soon have a simpler way to slash their electricity bills More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Minnie Driver is "so glad" she found love with her fiancé Addison O'Dea 15:53

    Living & Travel:
    The Breakers require an instant reset for this afternoon's Australian basketball league trip to Illawarra 15:27

    Politics:
    Iranian protesters chant anti-government messages as authorities signal intensifying crackdown 15:27

    Soccer:
    An opportunity for the Wellington Phoenix to move up through the congested A-League ladder 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Sarah Jessica Parker has hinted she is keen to play her Sex and the City character again 15:23

    Accident and Emergency:
    A search is continuing for a swimmer swept down the Waikato River yesterday afternoon 15:07

    Entertainment:
    Jenny McCarthy faces bedroom "challenges" with Donnie Wahlberg because she's constantly battling to block out his snoring 14:53

    Law and Order:
    Eloise Worledge was snatched from her bed. 50 years on her aunt is still looking for answers 14:47

    Entertainment:
    Nikki Glaser has been warned off making jokes about "America's sweetheart" Julia Roberts at the Golden Globe Awards 14:23

    Soccer:
    A post-season party in Ibiza is already in the offing for lowly Macclesfield after pulling off arguably the biggest upset in FA Cup history in front of their home fans 14:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd