Who is Francia Raisa? Selena Gomez’s best friend who donated her kidney to the singer during lupus battle
POP SINGER Selena Gomez took to Instagram to explain that her recent radio silence was down to a kidney transplant that she was taking time out to recover from.
The brave singer - who suffers from Lupus - was given a new kidney by friend Francia Raisa. But who is the generous donor?
Who is Francia Raisa and what's her background?
Francia is a 29 years old and comes from California.
She is an actress and has featured in a number of films, TV shows and music videos.
Back in 2013, the star got engaged to American actor Hosea Chanchez but unfortunately their relationship only lasted a couple of months before they separated.
Then in 2015 she started a Kickstarter campaign to launch her product Ellobella, which is a wrinkle-resistant dress with a custom made pouch for a purse.
What has Francia Raisa been in?
The Latina actress starred in Bring It On sequel All Or Nothing and The Secret Life Of The American Teenager.
In 2017 the actress featured in the critically-acclaimed Netflix show Dear White People.
She also currently hosts a show WTFrancia on an American radio station Dash Radio.
In addition she has starred in a number of music videos including Lil' Romeo's My Girlfriend and Iyaz's So Big.
How long has she been friends with Selena Gomez?
The pair have been best friends for nine years since 2008.
Last year Francia said: "I am obsessed with every memory we've built in the last 8 years and the ones we have yet to create.
"I am so grateful that God put you in my life when he did... I learn so much from you and I'm so so so proud of you.”
When did Francia Raisa donate her kidney to Selena Gomez?
Selena Gomez revealed she’d had a kidney transplant due to her battle with Lupus on September 14, 2017.
The singer broke the news by sharing a picture of herself in her hospital bed – revealing her donor was her best friend - Francia Raisa.
In a lengthy post she explained why she had been absent for most of the summer as she shared a series of pictures of her scars.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease with symptoms including body aches, fevers and extreme fatigue - it can also lead to kidney and heart damage.
She wrote: “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. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering.
“It was what I needed to do for my overall health. 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. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery."
Selena, who is dating The Weeknd, went on thank her friend who had donated her kidney, revealing she felt "incredibly blessed".
What has Francia Raisa said about giving Selena Gomez one of her kidneys?
Francia has revealed she "grateful" to help her friend Selena.
Taking to her own Instagram account to upload the same hospital snap Selena had posted, Francia wrote: "I am beyond grateful that God would trust me with something that not only saved a life, but changed mine in the process.
"This was part of our story, and we will share it soon, but what is important now is that this is not the only story."
