Fresh off the back of causing absolute carnage on social media after unfollowing a lot of people on Instagram, Selena Gomez has been spotted relaxing off of the coast of Australia and revealing the scars from her kidney transplant for the first time.
The 25-year-old singer, who is reportedly newly single after splitting from Justin Bieber, was seen getting some downtime after a tumultuous week in which there have been incessant rumours regarding her love life and her friendships. It all started last week, when Gomez went on an 'Instagram Purge' that involved unfollowing a lot of her friends, including her BFF Petra Collins.
Collins and Selena have been friends for years, with the two working together on some of the star's music videos. In fact, just last year, Gomez had discussed their friendship, describing them as sisters.
"We were both kind of like awkward and timid in the beginning," Selena said in a joint interview with Dazed magazine in 2017.
"People don’t know but my personal life ties into the work we do together because you know things about my life that nobody knows and I know a lot about your life that nobody knows. It comes out, somehow."
Later in the interview, she talked about how it feels like she and Petra are more sisters than friends.
"You make me feel more confident about the choices I make, like a sister.
"You help me, you encourage me and validate how I feel in that moment. I wouldn’t have been able to grow into the artist I am right now without you. It’s like this fire-and-water, duality thing going on.
Despite this, Petra received the chop - something which shocked plenty of fans.
However, it appears the Selena has still remained friends with some people, as she was seen enjoying herself on a private yacht while on holiday in Australia. Relaxing on the boat in a mismatched bikini, Selena revealed the scar from the emergency follow-up procedure she had after her 2017 kidney transplant.
The singer has been open about how scary the complications were, with Gomez saying that she remembers hyperventilating while waking up from the original surgery, before being told that her new kidney was turning around in her body.
The scar on her inner thigh is likely from the removal of the femoral vein to build an arterial connection to the new transplanted kidney.
Fans became suspicious that something was up with their idol when she went quiet on social media. Then, on September 14, she made her return to Instagram, issuing a statement which read:
"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. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith"
While Selena accidentally showed off her complications scar, she has been very open about the process of getting the operation and has, in turn, raised awareness for Lupus and a lot of money for charity - something which should be applauded.