Peacock, the streaming service for NBC Universal, sent out an apology to singer and actress Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers) this weekend for tasteless jokes it made at her expense on an episode of its reboot of Saved By the Bell.
In 2017, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant necessary for her to fight lupus, an autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with five years prior. Friend and fellow actress Francia Raisa (TV’s Grown-ish) donated one of her kidneys to Gomez.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, during the sixth episode of the new Saved By the Bell, students from Bayside High are seen arguing about who donated their kidney to Gomez. There is also a scene where the phrase “Does Selena Gomez even have kidneys?” is seen spray painted on a wall inside the school.
In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Peacock, NBC Universal and Saved By the Bell executive producers said, “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.”
In a pair of tweets this weekend, Raisa made a comment about Peacock’s apology and shared her love for others like her who have sacrificed part of themselves to save a life.
“Appreciate the apology but let’s not forget about the donors that potentially felt offended and dismissed from the spray paint written on the wall,” Raisa wrote.
She added, “As a kidney donor I want to show love and let other donors know that you are not alone. You are seen. You are appreciated. You are so brave and your selfless act is very much appreciated and valued!”
Appreciate the apology but let’s not forget about the donors that potentially felt offended and dismissed from the spray paint written on the wall https://t.co/HIwa30PKMM
— Francia Raisa (@franciaraisa) November 28, 2020
As a kidney donor I want to show love and let other donors know that you are not alone. You are seen. You are appreciated. You are so brave and your selfless act is very much appreciated and valued! 🙏🏽
— Francia Raisa (@franciaraisa) November 28, 2020