Selena Gomez shows off kidney transplant scar in empowering swimsuit photo

Selena Gomez is proud of what she’s gone through. The singer got personal with her 193 million Instagram followers, sharing with fans a glimpse of the scar from her 2017 kidney transplant. Gomez, 28, posed in a blue swimsuit to promote her friend’s new line, making the scar visible on her right inner thigh. It’s a big step for the actress, who previously found it “difficult” to show the mark.

“When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar,” the Rare Beauty founder wrote on Thursday. “I didn’t want it to be in photos, so I wore things that would cover it up. Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through…and I’m proud of that.”

Gomez congratulated her friend Theresa Marie Mingus, co-founder of La Mariette, for launching a line “whose message is just that…all bodies are beautiful.”

View this post on Instagram

When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar. I didn’t want it to be in photos, so I wore things that would cover it up. Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through…and I’m proud of that. T – Congratulations on what you’re doing for women, launching @lamariette whose message is just that…all bodies are beautiful.

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 24, 2020 at 9:57am PDT

Gomez was praised by her friends and famous followers.

“You are so incredible,” wrote JWoww.

“Omg I love you,” added Mingus.

Bang Bang Tattoo, where Gomez has gotten inked, commented, “Scar looks like just another beautiful tattoo.”

13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford wrote, “Love you lady, you’re a strong one!”

“Beauty,” Lily Aldridge said.

View this post on Instagram

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

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

Gomez, who received a kidney from friend Francia Raisa, revealed earlier this year that she had major complications during what was supposed to be the two-hour surgery.

“The moment I came out I remember starting to shake and my mom screaming and then being put back under,” Gomez told WSJ Magazine, explaining that she went back into surgery for another seven hours. “That’s what makes you go, ‘You know what, I’m just so happy to be alive.’”