Selena Gomez thanks Francia Raisa for kidney donation in emotional speech
LOS ANGELES — Selena Gomez stole the show at the Billboard Women in Music event when she gave an emotional acceptance speech for the Woman of the Year Award on Thursday. Gomez teared up as she talked about the woman who gave her a kidney.
"To be honest, I think Francia should be getting this award because she saved my life," an emotional Gomez said of her friend, actress Francia Raisa, who donated her kidney to Gomez earlier this year.
Raisa presented the award to Gomez, who had the transplant over the summer due to her struggle with lupus. In September, Gomez said she needed the transplant for her "overall health" and thanked her "beautiful friend" for making the "ultimate gift and sacrifice."
"Specifically this year, I would like to thank my amazing team and my family because they stuck with me through some really hard times. And I got to do a lot this year, even though I had a couple of other things to do," Gomez told the crowd at the Hollywood gala.
The event, which honors female trailblazers in music, also paid tribute to Solange Knowles, Kelly Clarkson and Camila Cabello.
"I've never felt as proud to be a woman in the industry than I do today," Gomez said, while adding how crucial it is that voices "are being heard for the fist time."
The wave of sexual harassment allegations rocking the entertainment industry was touched on throughout the evening.
"This year we have all witnessed the power of speaking up to share our truths," said host Ciara while kicking off the evening. "Let's all remember how important it is that we use our voice so that the next generation's path has less resistance, less hate, less sexism, less body shaming, and let it be said loud and clear -- less harassment."
Music stars and industry leaders gathered for the event just hours after music mogul Russell Simmons stepped down from the companies he founded after several allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against him.
Atlantic Records executive Julie Greenwald called the music industry "a male-dominated sport."
"Now it's time to change the industry for the better," said Greenwald, who was named Executive of the Year. "It's all right here in how we support each other and how we're committed to providing young women with a safer environment, free from harassment and discrimination."
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran presented the award to Greenwald, calling her "a warrior and a tank."
Clarkson received the Powerhouse Award and told the crowd that she's tired of seeing women pitted against one another.
"Accept the fact that there is room for everyone," she said. "Once women start really respecting each other as women and artists and all of that, then men will."
Taraji P. Henson presented the Icon Award to Mary J. Blige. The Grammy-winning legend said her path to success has not been easy.
"I'm a fighter and I'm here and I'm gonna keep fighting for every woman everywhere," said Blige. "I'm out there fighting for you."
Cabello was honored as a Breakthrough Artist. The former Fifth Harmony member performed her sultry single "Havana," which hit No. 1 on Billboard's pop songs charts this week.