It is the kind of story that feels scripted for a Hollywood tearjerker, only the stakes were actually life and death. In 2017, the world watched as Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa shared a photo from side-by-side hospital beds, their hands clasped, after Francia donated a kidney to Selena. It was the ultimate "best friend" goal. But then, things got weird.
Years of silence followed. Instagram unfollows. Shady comments. A documentary that didn't mention the donor at all.
By 2026, the narrative has shifted yet again. With Selena’s recent wedding to Benny Blanco in September 2025 becoming the celebrity event of the decade, fans immediately looked for Francia in the crowd. She wasn't there. Naturally, the internet lost its mind, assuming the feud was back on. But like most things in the "Selena-verse," the truth is way more nuanced than a simple "they hate each other."
The Wedding Snub That Wasn't Really a Snub
When Selena Gomez said "I do" to Benny Blanco, the guest list was a who's who of A-list Hollywood. Taylor Swift was there, obviously. Steve Martin and Martin Short were there. But Francia Raisa was notably absent.
For many, this was the smoking gun. How do you not invite the person who gave you an organ to your wedding?
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Honestly, Francia’s response to the noise was surprisingly grounded. In an interview with Univision’s Primer Impacto just before the nuptials, she basically told everyone to take a breath. She confirmed she knew about the wedding and was "very happy" for Selena. She even threw in a bit of a reality check, noting that Selena is a "billionaire" with her own life now.
It sounds less like a feud and more like two people who have simply grown into different rooms. They aren't the inseparable "sisters" they were at 25. And maybe that's okay.
Why the "Kidney Feud" Narrative is Toxic
There’s this uncomfortable idea that because Francia donated a kidney, she basically "owns" a piece of Selena’s loyalty forever. People love to track Selena’s lifestyle—whether she’s having a cocktail or working too hard—and then look at Francia for a reaction.
Francia has been vocal about how much she dislikes this.
"If you give a dollar to charity, you don't call to ask what they're doing with it," she told reporters in late 2025. "It's a donation."
That is a heavy perspective. It reframes the entire relationship. For years, rumors swirled that Francia was "angry" at Selena for drinking or "partying" after the transplant. Francia finally called that "nonsense." She pointed out that people grow and relationships change, but the gift itself wasn't a contract for lifelong behavior control.
The Rolling Stone Comment and the Fallout
If you want to pinpoint when the public "falling out" peaked, you have to look back at 2022. Selena did an interview with Rolling Stone where she said Taylor Swift was her "only friend in the industry."
Francia’s response? A one-word comment on Instagram: "Interesting."
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She then unfollowed Selena. Selena, for her part, hopped on TikTok to say, "Sorry I didn't mention every person I know." It was petty. It was loud. It was exactly the kind of drama the internet lives for.
But what most people missed was the six years of silence that preceded that moment. They hadn't been close for a long time. The "Taylor Swift" comment wasn't the start of the fire; it was just the match that lit the dry wood.
Reconnecting in 2023 and 2024
By late 2023, there were signs of a thaw. Selena posted a birthday tribute to Francia on Instagram. They were spotted grabbing dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. Francia even attended Selena’s Rare Impact Fund event.
So, what changed?
Francia mentioned on the Good Guys podcast that "sometimes people need to spend time apart in order to grow." They went on their own journeys. They became better people separately so they could be civil together.
It’s a very adult way of looking at a friendship that was forged in "trauma bonding," a term Francia used herself. When you go through a life-threatening surgery together, you are linked in a way that is almost too intense to maintain in day-to-day life.
The Reality of Post-Transplant Relationships
Medical experts often talk about the psychological toll on both donors and recipients. It isn't just about the surgery. The recipient often feels an mountain of debt they can never repay. The donor might feel a sense of loss or a need to protect the person they "saved."
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In the case of Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa, they had to navigate this under a global microscope. Every time Selena didn't mention Francia in a speech, it was a "betrayal." Every time Francia posted a workout video showing her scar, it was a "reminder."
That pressure is enough to break any friendship.
Where They Stand Today
As of 2026, the status is "peaceful but distant."
- They are not best friends. They don't hang out every weekend.
- The "beef" is largely over. Both have spoken kindly of each other in the last 12 months.
- The wedding absence was a choice. It likely reflects their current level of intimacy rather than a secret war.
- The kidney is a closed chapter. Francia is proud of what she did, and Selena has expressed her gratitude, but they are no longer defined solely by that 2017 surgery.
What You Can Learn from Their Story
The saga of Selena and Francia is a masterclass in how public expectation can ruin private healing. We wanted them to be a fairytale of sisterhood forever. Real life is messier.
If you're following this story because you care about the people involved, the best thing to do is respect the distance. Friendships evolve. Sometimes they shrink. That doesn't make the history any less real or the gift any less life-saving.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Complex Friendships:
- Acknowledge the "Gifts" Without the Guilt: If someone does something massive for you, you owe them gratitude, but you don't owe them your entire identity.
- Allow for Seasons: Just because you aren't talking today doesn't mean the friendship was a lie. Some people are meant for specific chapters of your life.
- Communication over Sub-tweeting: A lot of the 2022 drama could have been avoided if they’d talked privately instead of reacting to headlines. If you feel snubbed, call the person. Don't post "Interesting" on a public forum.
- Value the Sacrifice, Not the Debt: If you are the giver, remember that a true gift has no strings. If you are the receiver, live your life well—that is the best way to honor the gift.
Selena and Francia may never be the "hand-holding in hospital beds" duo again, and that’s probably the healthiest thing for both of them. They’ve moved on. Maybe it’s time for the internet to do the same.