Christopher “Kid” Reid — the rapper, actor, and cultural icon best known as one half of the hip-hop duo Kid ’n Play — has publicly revealed that he underwent a heart transplant after a serious health crisis last year, sharing details of his journey for the first time on ABC’s Good Morning America.
The 61-year-old artist told GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he began noticing troubling symptoms in the summer of 2025, including extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, which he initially dismissed as signs of aging and the rigors of life on the road.
After a visit to an emergency room in July of last year, Reid was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Although doctors first tried treating him with medication, his condition worsened — with swelling returning quickly and tests showing that his failing heart was beginning to affect other organs.
Faced with few options, Reid was placed on the heart transplant list. His cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Laura Dichiacchio, described his situation as “a kind of life or death” moment. Just eight days later, a compatible donor heart became available, and Reid underwent successful surgery.
Speaking about the experience, Reid said he plans to cherish this second chance at life and hopes his story will encourage others — especially people of color — to take their heart health seriously and seek care when something feels off. “A lot of times, we don’t want the bad news … or we’ll get over it. Well, you might not,” he told GMA.
Reid’s health battle comes during American Heart Month, a national campaign to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of death in the United States.
Now in recovery, Reid says he feels renewed and grateful for the life-saving procedure. He’s also using this moment to connect with fans about the importance of early detection, regular check-ups, and listening to the body’s warning signs.
“We all want to hustle and keep going,” he said, “but your health has to be a priority.”
