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the Saved by the Bell the restart got off to a rough start. The series aired its first season on November 25 on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. Two clips from the series are now going viral online due to the random inclusion of Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant in the storyline, prompting “RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ” to trending on Twitter.
Selena Gomez had a kidney transplant in 2017
The 28-year-old star announced on September 14, 2017 that she had had a kidney transplant earlier in the year. The transplant was necessary because of health problems caused by lupus, an autoimmune disease for which she had previously been hospitalized and received chemotherapy treatment. Cultivated Gomez’s star and good friend, Francia Raisa, was his kidney donor.
As the “Rare” singer shared in her 2017 Instagram ad:
I’m very aware that some of my fans noticed that I was staying low for part of the summer and wondering why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out that I needed a kidney transplant because of my lupus and was recovering. This was what I needed to do for my overall health. I can not wait to share with you, soon my journey through these last months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then, I want to publicly thank my family and my amazing team of doctors for all they have done for me before and after surgery. And finally, there are no 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 my sister.
the Saved by the Bell reboot released all 10 episodes of its inaugural season on Peacock on November 25. On November 28, two clips from the series began circling on Twitter due to the mention of Gomez and his health on the show.
RELATED: Selena Gomez Feeling ‘Confident’ Years After Kidney Transplant: ‘All Bodies Are Beautiful’
What does the “ Saved By The Bell ” reboot say about Selena Gomez?
One scene shows two characters fighting in the hallway of the school. In the conversation, one of the girls explains her theory about Gomez’s kidney donor, bringing Justin Bieber into the conversation.
“Now I know for a fact that Selena Gomez’s kidney donor was Justin Bieber’s mother,” she says. “My God, I wish I had my phone so I could prove it.”
“Prove what, that you are an idiot?” her friend responds before adding another celebrity’s name to the mix. “It was Demi Lovato’s kidney!” They are best friends, like you and me.
This conversation was clearly meant to be a humorous nod to teenage celebrity conspiracy theories, but much like the Larry Stylinson theory included in Euphoria, he touched on a topic that people thought was over the line. But it doesn’t stop there.
In another scene, two other characters reconcile in the Bayside hallway. Behind them, there is graffiti on the wall that reads: “Does Selena Gomez even have a kidney?”
RELATED: Selena Gomez Just Proved She And Kidney Donor Francia Raisa Are Still Very Close
Why is ‘RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ’ trending?
Gomez fans are outraged by the jokes about his health. They quickly flooded Twitter with the phrase “RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ”, and it ended up following a global trend. Twitter users say it is disrespectful and strange to use Gomez’s serious and personal health concerns as a punchline.
“Now I’m just intrigued as to why this show seems to be obsessed with Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant and think it’s hilarious?” read a tweet.
“It seems like a sticky reference, but idk,” the user continued.
Another Twitter user wrote: “Making fun of a kidney transplant is no joke! She went through a life-threatening ordeal and I’m appalled that a TV show felt it was okay to laugh at her.
As another fan chimed in, “Is it really weird that they are bringing this into the show in the first place ??? It is someone’s personal health.
In a show depicting modern day teens in the age of social media, it makes absolute sense to incorporate a topic like fandoms and fan-made theories. But choosing to joke about Gomez’s autoimmune disease and vital kidney transplant is in bad taste. It’s not unfair for teens to debate their celebrity fan favorite theories, but Gomez’s kidney donor was never even questioned in the first place, as the the Wizards of Waverly Place alum kept news of her transplant and donor a secret until one day she announced that she had the procedure. Neither Gomez nor Peacock have commented publicly on the reaction.
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