MTV Star Ananda Lewis Dies After Battling Breast Cancer
Ananda Lewis, a popular television host who rose to fame on MTV during the network’s “veejay” era in the late 1990s, has died after battling breast cancer, her sister Lakshmi announced. Lewis, who was 52, passed away on Wednesday, with her sister sharing the news on Facebook.
According to The Daily Star, Lewis had been open about her health struggles, revealing in a 2024 interview that her breast cancer had progressed to Stage 4 after she initially declined a mastectomy as part of her treatment.
Lewis’s sister wrote: “She’s free and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.” MTV released a statement saying: “We’re saddened to learn of the passing of beloved MTV VJ, Ananda Lewis. Through her on-air hosting and interviews, Ananda helped raise a generation of music fans. Our thoughts are with her family & loved ones.”
Tributes have been pouring in for Lewis, with friends and fans paying tribute to her enduring legacy on social media. Kevin Powell wrote on X: “ANANDA LEWIS, my sister, friend, fellow MTV alumni, rest peacefully. You were brilliant and beautiful in all ways. Loved getting your text messages, messages of wisdom and support. #cancersucks ”
One fan wrote: “Omg Rip to the beautiful #AnandaLewis her sister confirmed,the news. If you’re a 90s/early 2000s baby, then you definitely wanted to be her, at some point! The real ‘It girl’! She just had it! Phuck cancer! Sending love to every person that loved her. Get your rest beauty.”
BET, who host the BET Awards, sent their own tribute, writing: “As the host of BET’s Teen Summit, she didn’t just lead conversations—she sparked change, empowering a generation to speak up, love themselves, and think deeper. Ananda brought brilliance, beauty, and authenticity to every space she entered. Her impact lives on through the countless lives she touched, both on and off screen. We honor the life and legacy of Ananda Lewis—an unforgettable voice, trailblazer, and truth-teller.”
Lewis became a household name presenting iconic MTV shows from the early 2000s like TRL and Spring Break, before taking the reins of her own self-titled talk show in the daytime TV arena. Moreover, throughout her illustrious career, she also served as a news correspondent for various television networks and lent her voice as a spokesperson for the Humane Society.
According to The Daily Star, Lewis’s son was graduating middle school on the same day as her death. One fan reminisced: “#Anandalewis had an effortless persona while being both beautiful and intelligent. She had class, style, charm and brilliance when on-air. Her trajectory was a blueprint for mines. Both HBCU graduates, BET alum and the host of MTV’s flagship show TRL. Rest in paradise queen!”.
Another lamented: “Ananda Lewis was 52. She spoke out against traditional cancer treatments, sharing her beliefs on why prevention should be talked about more. She was beautiful, kind, and strong, and I’m so sad that she’s no longer with us.”
The news of Lewis’s untimely passing has sparked an outpouring of grief, with fans and friends sharing their tributes and memories of the beloved television host. As reported by The Daily Star, Lewis’s legacy continues to inspire and empower future generations.
Source: The Daily Star:
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