Kid ’n Play Star Christopher Reid Reveals He Had Life-Saving Heart Transplant

Kid ‘n Play’s Christopher “Kid” Reid, who was probably once best known for his gravity-defying flattop fad, positive lyrics, and his House Party films, has revealed to fans that he has had a change of heart. Literally.

In an interview with Good Morning America, the artist discussed his recent heart transplant with Michael Strahan, opening up about the health battle he faced last July that led to the life-saving procedure and how the experience has reshaped his outlook on family, faith, and the future.

“Over the last year or so, I started to feel more fatigued than before,” said Reid. “A shortness of breath, sleeping a lot, more than normal. And I think sometimes you just chalk it up to getting older. You know, the road is harsh. Doing the old kickstep.”

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After a visit to Cedar Sinai Medical Center, the doctors told him he had congestive heart failure. Initially, Reid was given a bevy of medications, but after three weeks, his cardiologist opted to take a more aggressive treatment when the swelling concerned her. After additional bloodwork, his doctor called him to confirm that his condition was critical. It was affecting his other organs and that he needed to be in the emergency room “right now.”

Doctors informed Reid that a heart transplant was his only option, placing him on a wait list. Because his condition was so critical, he was moved high on the priority list. “If I do get this gift, I intend to respect it, and really live life to the fullest,” said Reid of his second chance at life.

He got the call for a new heart just nine days later. “The next next, 10 p.m., we go in, and about seven hours later, I have a new heart.”

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“The heart before looked like I failed a lie detector test,” joked Reid. “But now it’s zoomin’!”

When asked how it changed him, Reid responded, “I hope I’m the same person, but that I’m a better version of myself, because man, this is a beautiful life. It’s great. I want to be around for it.”

“A lot of people are walking around with heart disease because they don’t go to the doctor, and traditionally, people of color, we don’t go,” said Reid. “We don’t go for a lot of reasons. Sometimes we don’t go because we don’t have insurance. Sometimes we don’t want the bad news. Or sometimes we are too busy just hustling, trying to make it from day to day, and we don’t have time, and we’ll get over you. Well, you might not. So I’m urging all of my fans, all my loved ones, to get checked out.”