Selena Gomez has explained why she chose to keep a low-profile over the summer, despite releasing new music, revealing she had undergone a kidney transplant.
The singer revealed she had the surgery due to her battle with Lupus – something she has openly spoken about in the past – and had received the necessary organ donation from her best friend.
In a heart-felt Instagram post, Selena thanked her pal for giving her the ‘ultimate gift’ as she candidly spoke about the operation and her health battle while sharing a photo of her in her hospital bed, as well as another of her surgery scar.
Candid: Selena Gomez has revealed she underwent a kidney transplant due to her battle with Lupus over the summer in a heartfelt Instagram post she shared on Thursday
She took to the photo-sharing site with three photographs to detail her story, as she credited her friend for selflessly donating her organ to her.
In an emotional statement, Selena had penned: ‘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. And finally, 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. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made.
Her admission comes after reports recently revealed Selena has moved in with her boyfriend The Weeknd.
The Starboy hitmaker and the 25-year-old singer, who started dating in January, have decided to take their relationship to the next step as it is believed they are living in a lavish apartment in New York City’s Greenwich Village together.
‘They are living] in a low-rise luxury building in the heart of the Village. Selena is definitely immersing herself into the nitty gritty of New York,’ a source told Entertainment Tonight.
Cozy couple: The Weeknd and his girlfriend Selena Gomez have reportedly moved in together. Seen on Friday in NYC
The two have been dating since January
It is believed the duo’s home boasts almost 12 foot high ceilings.
There are Juliette glass balconies and English kitchens.
The insider explained: ‘Best of all, the master bath is outfitted with his and her vanities, a steam shower and Kohler cast-iron bathtub.’
It is speculated that the Kill Em With Kindness musician’s accommodation costs approximately $16,000 a month to rent.
The couple normally lives in Los Angeles, but it is not known if they live together there.
The pair’s relocation is believed to be only a temporary stay for them both, but in the meantime they are both ‘very happy’ with their new home and to be settling down with one another.
New home: It is believed they are living in a lavish apartment in NYC’s Greenwich Village
Her big role: The former Disney star is in NYC to shoot a new Woody Allen movie with Timothee Chalamet; seen here on Monday
The source said: ‘They’ve both been very gracious to the neighbours and seem very happy with their living arrangement.’
And it is believed The Weeknd – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – has reportedly thought about ‘starting a family’ with his partner.
He has even told his girlfriend about his dream for their future together.
Side by side: The couple getting coffee in Manhattan on September 3
She loves to dine with him: In a restaurant together in August
In 2015 Justin Bieber said he had lived with Gomez when they were teenagers
A separate insider previously said: ‘He has thought about starting a family with Selena at some point down the line,.
‘Maybe in a few years. And he has told her that he would want to have a girl because nothing would be better for him then to have a cute little Selena look-alike bouncing around.
‘He’s mentioned to her many times that two of her would always be better than one.’
In 2015 Justin Bieber said he had lived with Gomez when they were teenagers and it was the best time of his life.
The pop star and the Texas beauty were together from 2011 until 2015.
Gomez has been seeing in Manhattan for the last few weeks. On Monday she was spotted in a beige trench coat as she filmed a Woody Allen movie.
They went public in NYC: The couple hit their first red carpet together at the Met Gala in May