Entertainment

Francia Raisa Denies She Was ‘Forced’ to Donate Kidney to Selena Gomez on August 2, 2023 at 3:23 pm Us Weekly

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

Francia Raisa and Selena Gomez Broadimage/Shutterstock; Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Francia Raisa slammed claims that she didn’t want to donate her kidney to Selena Gomez.

“I just felt it in my heart. I knew it was a match, I knew it was going to happen. No one forced me to do anything,” Raisa, 35,, said on the Tuesday, August 1, episode of the “Good Guys” podcast. “It came out of the genuine kindness of my heart. I have been super blessed ever since.”

The actress, who recently noted there was “no beef” between her and Gomez, 31, went on to describe the aftermath of the surgery.

“She and I went public with our situation years ago and, honestly, we had to,” she recalled. “As for what’s going on lately, does anyone prep you for this kind of stuff? Never. We never get prepped for this kind of stuff. It always catches me by surprise. I don’t know if it’s good or not.”

Raisa has made an effort to avoid the online speculation about the pair’s bond, adding, “I can’t read the comments because I don’t do well with it. I really don’t. Sometimes I disappear because people are mean. People are so mean. They hit you right there. Someone said, ‘Oh, you’re just looking for attention because your career’s a flop.’ I’m like, ‘Is it a flop?’”

Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa Matt Baron/Shutterstock

After several years of friendship, Raisa donated a kidney in 2017 amid Gomez’s battle with lupus.

“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,” Gomez captioned an Instagram photo of herself and Raisa in the hospital at the time. “There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.”

Raisa, for her part, later opened up about her decision to help Gomez. “She was asking me about my day, and she grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge and tried to open it and couldn’t,” she shared during a 2018 interview with W Magazine. “Then she threw it on the floor, and she fell to the floor and started crying. I was like, ‘What is wrong with you?’ She said, ‘I need a new kidney. I don’t know what I’m going to do, the waitlist is seven to 10 years.’ And it just came out of me, and I said, ‘I’ll get tested.’”

The duo have since sparked rumors of a rift after fans pointed out that they have spent less time together publicly. The rumors continued when Gomez shed light on the state of her Hollywood friendships during an interview.

“I never fit in with a cool group of girls that were celebrities. My only friend in the industry really is Taylor [Swift], so I remember feeling like I didn’t belong,” she told Rolling Stone in November 2022, opting not to mention any other friends.

Raisa seemingly reacted to the remark at the time, writing, “Interesting,” in the comments of an Instagram post. She subsequently unfollowed Gomez on social media.

Last month, however, Gomez surprised fans by gushing over Raisa in a birthday tribute, writing via Instagram on July 26, “Happiest of birthdays to this special human beings [sic]. No matter where life takes us, I love you. @franciaraisa.”

Raisa squashed speculation about her supposed tension with Gomez, telling TMZ days later, “I got so many great birthday messages. I really, really appreciate everyone. … You know, it’s a new year.”

Francia Raisa slammed claims that she didn’t want to donate her kidney to Selena Gomez. “I just felt it in my heart. I knew it was a match, I knew it was going to happen. No one forced me to do anything,” Raisa, 35,, said on the Tuesday, August 1, episode of the “Good Guys”

Us Weekly Read More

Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

20 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Beyoncé Rewrites Grammy History

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Historic Achievements

First Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century
First Black woman to win a country music award since the Pointer Sisters in 1974, winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter

Emotional Moment
During her Album of the Year acceptance speech, Beyoncé was initially frozen in place until her daughter Blue Ivy nudged her to approach the stage. She dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black country artist, saying, “I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

By the Numbers

35-time Grammy Award winner
Nominated for 11 awards this year
Won three awards total, tying with Charli XCX

Notable Quotes
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said, thanking the Grammys, songwriters, collaborators, and producers. She also specifically acknowledged the Los Angeles firefighters who were present at the ceremony.

The win was particularly emotional, with fellow artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish visibly moved by her historic achievement.

Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dominates 2025 Grammys

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 67th Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rapper swept all five categories he was nominated in, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his track “Not Like Us”.

“Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, became the de facto song of 2024 when it was released in May, topping the Billboard singles charts. The song’s success at the Grammys further solidified Lamar’s position in his long-standing rivalry with Drake, with the track winning awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video during the Premiere Ceremony.

Lamar’s acceptance speeches were notable for their focus on Los Angeles and its recovery efforts. During his acceptance for Record of the Year, he acknowledged various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and emphasized the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. This aligned with the Grammy’s overall theme this year, which included raising funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The rapper’s victories come at a significant time in his career. Having released his album “GNX” in November, Lamar is now set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week. His Grammy success has further elevated his status in the hip-hop community and the music industry at large.

Lamar’s wins were not without controversy, however. The track “Not Like Us” is currently involved in a legal dispute initiated by Drake against Universal Music Group. Drake alleges that the label, which represents both him and Lamar, jeopardized his career by promoting the song.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s clean sweep at the Grammys has cemented his place as one of the most influential and successful artists in contemporary music. His ability to combine critical acclaim with commercial success and cultural impact was on full display at this year’s ceremony.