Selena Gomez Fans Slam TV Show For Joking About Her Kidney Transplant
By Paris Close
November 29, 2020
Peacock’s Saved by the Bell reboot is under fire for mocking Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant.
On Saturday (November 28), thousands of Gomez’s fans voiced their support for the “Rare” singer after a scene from the revival offensively referred to her operation.
"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,” one high school student says in the clip, to which the other replies, “Prove what? That you’re an idiot? It was Demi Lovato's kidney. They’re best friends like you and I were."
Equally as tasteless was another scene that seemed to show graffiti on a wall that read, “Does Selena Gomez even have a kidney?”
"Respect Selena Gomez" started trending shortly after as thousands of Selenators slammed the show for making light of Gomez's operation.
"Saved by the Bell, that's disgusting. Selena almost lost her life, jokes about her kidney transplant is NOT FUNNY. Respect Selena Gomez," one user tweeted.
Saved by the Bell, that's disgusting. Selena almost lost her life, jokes about her kidney transplant is NOT FUNNY. Respect Selena Gomez. pic.twitter.com/c8AZbsU1m0
— Selena Charts (@selenachartsbr) November 28, 2020
a tv show called "saved by the bell" has "does selena gomez even have a kidney?" written on the wall. this is so disgusting and unnecessary. selena doesn't deserve this.
— ً (@jndoIIs) November 28, 2020
RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ pic.twitter.com/u7IcPX8NqV
For those who don’t know, the moment references the 2017 life-saving kidney transplant she underwent due to her lupus. At the time, it was revealed that Gomez’s organ donor was her friend, Grown-ish actress Francia Raisa, who has since reacted to the clip as well.
"As a kidney donor I want to show love and let other donors know that you are not alone," Raisa tweeted. "You are seen. You are appreciated. You are so brave and your selfless act is very much appreciated and valued! Folded hands."
Amid the ongoing backlash, Peacock has since issued the following apology: “We apologize. 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.”
Gomez has not responded to the controversy as of yet.
Photo: Getty Images