'She saved my life': Selena Gomez breaks down in tears as she dedicates award to her kidney donor Francia Raisa at Billboard's Women In Music

  • Selena was named Woman Of The Year by Billboard
  • The star said in an emotional speech her friend and kidney donor Francia should be getting the honor instead of her 
  • Talking through tears, the 25-year-old said: 'I think Francia should be getting this award. She saved my life… I feel incredibly lucky.' 
  • Selena surprised many with the news of her transplant on September 14 by sharing a photograph of her and Francia in their hospital gowns holding hands
  • According to the singer Francia volunteered to donate an organ without being asked 

By Mike Larkin For Dailymail.com

Published: 22:39 EST, 30 November 2017 | Updated: 23:21 EST, 1 December 2017

She literally saved her life.

And Selena Gomez broke down in tears as she thanked her kidney donor and best friend Francia Raisa at the Billboard Women Of The Year awards in Los Angeles on Thursday

Selena, who was named Woman Of The Year, was presented with the honor by Raisa and Elle Fanning.

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Emotional: Selena Gomez broke down in tears as she thanked her kidney donor best friend Francia Raisa at the Billboard Women Of The Year awards in Los Angeles Thursday

Emotional: Selena Gomez broke down in tears as she thanked her kidney donor best friend Francia Raisa at the Billboard Women Of The Year awards in Los Angeles Thursday

Talking through tears, the 25-year-old said: 'I think Francia should be getting this award. She saved my life… I feel incredibly lucky.'

'Honestly, I couldn't be more grateful for the position that I've been given in my career from 7 to 14 to now.

'I want people to know that I respect the platform that I have so deeply because I knew that I wanted to be a part of something great, I wanted people to feel great.'  

Forever grateful: Selena hugged her friend after receiving the award 

Forever grateful: Selena hugged her friend after receiving the award 

BFF: Selena, who was named Woman Of The Year, was presented with her honor by Raisa and Elle Fanning

BFF: Selena, who was named Woman Of The Year, was presented with her honor by Raisa and Elle Fanning

Looking on: Elle and Francia looked on as Selena vowed to respect her platform

Looking on: Elle and Francia looked on as Selena vowed to respect her platform

'I think Francia should be getting this award,' the 25-year-old said through tears. 'She saved my life… I feel incredibly lucky.'

'I think Francia should be getting this award,' the 25-year-old said through tears. 'She saved my life… I feel incredibly lucky.'

Selena went on to note how she recently went through some really 'hard times'.

She said: 'I feel like for me, with my music, I've been able to illustrate the things that I want.

'And I'm reminded by a team of people who believe in me even when I don't myself and I couldn't be more luckier.' 

Come on up here! Ciara also honored the singer onstage

Come on up here! Ciara also honored the singer onstage

Proud: Selena promised to make a great album the following year

Proud: Selena promised to make a great album the following year

Touching: The group of ladies all seemed deeply emotional 

Touching: The group of ladies all seemed deeply emotional 

And Francia was 'really honoured' for The 13 Reasons Why executive producer at the ceremony, as she later gushed over how proud she was of her best friend.

She told Billboard Online: 'I'm really honoured to do this for her tonight. I was just glad I was able to do. I'm glad I was a match. She's standing here and being honoured and I've seen her career continue to soar, it's amazing.'

Selena's title has previously been picked up by Taylor Swift, as well as fellow musicians including, Beyonce, Pink and Fergie. 

So emotional! Selena looked to be feeling a mixture of emotions during the evening

So emotional! Selena looked to be feeling a mixture of emotions during the evening

Thick and thin: She went on to note how she recently went through some really 'hard times'

Thick and thin: She went on to note how she recently went through some really 'hard times'

Unbreakable bond: The trio later posed backstage

Unbreakable bond: The trio later posed backstage

Honored: Selena smiled with genuine feeling as she was called up to the stage

Honored: Selena smiled with genuine feeling as she was called up to the stage

Besties: Selena posed up with Raisa on the red carpet earlier that night

Besties: Selena posed up with Raisa on the red carpet earlier that night

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The sultry singer pulled a look from Versace's Spring 2018 runway show that consisted of a strapless bodysuit, slashed high-waisted leather pants and a leather belt with an eye-catching gold buckle.

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All good? The best friends appeared to check one another over before their photo op

All good? The best friends appeared to check one another over before their photo op

Although the Bad Liar singer does not know how she can 'repay' anyone after picking up the gong, she has vowed to create an 'epic album' next year.

She concluded her speech: 'I don't know how I'll ever repay it but maybe I'll make an epic album next year.' 

Earlier that evening, the pair looked sultry and full of zest as they posed up a storm on the pre-event red carpet. 

Best friends: Selena and Francia stuck together on the carpet

Best friends: Selena and Francia stuck together on the carpet

Hell bent for leather: She stunned in a pair of high-waisted leather trousers

Hell bent for leather: She stunned in a pair of high-waisted leather trousers

Simply the bust: And she completed her adventurous look with a racy bustier

Simply the bust: And she completed her adventurous look with a racy bustier

Star of the show: There was an explosion of flashbulbs when she posed on the red carpet

Star of the show: There was an explosion of flashbulbs when she posed on the red carpet

Bonding experience: Selena revealed news of her transplant on September 14 by sharing a photograph of her and Francia in their hospital gowns

Bonding experience: Selena revealed news of her transplant on September 14 by sharing a photograph of her and Francia in their hospital gowns

The 25-year-old singer, who is back in the arms of lover Justin Bieber, stunned in a pair of high-waisted leather trousers, which she twinned with a revealing black bustier. 

Her pal meanwhile opted to dazzle in a more ostentatious sparkling blue gown. 

Selena surprised many with the news of her transplant on September 14 by sharing a photograph of her and Francia in their hospital gowns holding hands to her 128 million Instagram followers. 

Long train: Ciara flashed her toned puns in an elaborate top with a long train

Long train: Ciara flashed her toned puns in an elaborate top with a long train

Short skirt: The 32-year-old's outfit also included a little black skirt
Short skirt: The 32-year-old's outfit also included a little black skirt

Short skirt: The 32-year-old's outfit also included a little black skirt

Award winners: Kelly Clarkson and Camila Cabello teamed up on the carpet

Award winners: Kelly Clarkson and Camila Cabello teamed up on the carpet

The Wizards Of Waverly Place star believes she would have died had it not been for Raisa, who volunteered to give one of her kidneys when Selena's went into failure in May.

The star, who has had a well-documented battle with Lupus, previously said: 'It was really kind of life or death.

'My kidneys were just done. That was it and I didn't want to ask a single person in my life.

'That was the day I came home and she volunteered, she did it.'

Kill Em With Kindness: The singer seemed to be enjoying her posing session

Kill Em With Kindness: The singer seemed to be enjoying her posing session

Idol winner: American Idol winner Kelly won the Powerhouse award

Idol winner: American Idol winner Kelly won the Powerhouse award

Teen talent: Grace Vanderwaal was honored at the ceremony

Teen talent: Grace Vanderwaal was honored at the ceremony

Guest presenter: Heidi Klum presented Grace with the Rising Star Award

Raisa agreed to donate her organ on the spot.

Explaining her decision, she said: '(Selena) goes, "I don't know what to do. The list is seven to ten years long."

'And it just vomited out of me. I was like, "Of course I'll get tested.'''

They grew even closer during the lengthy recovery process, which left the two with little to do but sit or lay around as their bodies healed from the surgery. 

Hollywood star: Taraji P. Henson wore a gorgeous green gown

Hollywood star: Taraji P. Henson wore a gorgeous green gown

Big belt: The actress cinched her dress with a big black belt

Silver dress: Kehlani shined in a silver dress which boasted offbeat shoulder pads

Silver dress: Kehlani shined in a silver dress which boasted offbeat shoulder pads

Special performance: The Oakland, California singer later changed into a crimson suit to perform for the star-studded crowd

Special performance: The Oakland, California singer later changed into a crimson suit to perform for the star-studded crowd

BILLBOARD WOMEN IN MUSIC

Honorees at the 2017 Billboard Women in Music awards

Woman Of The Year

Selena Gomez

Rising Star Award

Grace Vanderwaal 

Rulebreaker Award

Kehlani 

Impact Award

Solange Knowles 

Breakthrough Award

Camila Cabello 

Powerhouse Award

Kelly Clarkson 

Icon Award

Mary J. Blige

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