Ananda Lewis, former MTV VJ and talk show host, dies at 52
Ananda Lewis, the influential former MTV VJ and talk show host, has died at 52 after a long battle with breast cancer. Her passing was announced by her sister, Lakshmi, on June 11, 2025, who wrote, 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms.'
Lewis first rose to prominence as the host of BET's 'Teen Summit,' where she addressed important issues facing Black youth. She joined MTV in 1997, quickly becoming one of the network's most beloved VJs. Known for her warmth and intelligence, Lewis hosted shows like 'Total Request Live' and 'Hot Zone,' and was celebrated for her ability to connect with both celebrities and viewers on serious topics, including school violence and the death of singer Aaliyah.
In 2001, Lewis launched 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' further establishing her as a thoughtful and empathetic interviewer. She later worked as a correspondent for various networks, remaining a visible and respected figure in the media.
In 2020, Lewis revealed she had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, explaining she had delayed mammograms due to concerns about radiation. She initially pursued alternative treatments, but by 2024, her cancer had progressed to stage IV. Lewis became an advocate for early detection, especially among Black women, encouraging others not to repeat her mistakes. 'We're not meant to stay here forever… When it's time for me to go, I want to be able to look back on my life and say, I did that exactly how I wanted to,' she had said. Born in Los Angeles in 1973 and a Howard University graduate, Lewis is survived by her son, Langston. Her legacy as a trailblazer in music journalism and a passionate health advocate will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
'The Ananda Lewis Show' Host Dies at 52: Fans Remember Her Light & Legacy
Ananda Lewis, the beloved former MTV VJ and talk show host, has passed away at 52 after a long battle with breast cancer. Her sister Lakshmi confirmed the heartbreaking news on June 11 in a Facebook post, writing, 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms.' Ananda had gone public with her stage III diagnosis in 2020, admitting she delayed mammograms due to fears of radiation, a choice she deeply regretted. Her honesty helped spark health awareness among women. MTV paid tribute, honoring her as a cultural icon who helped shape a generation through shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. She left MTV in 2001 to launch The Ananda Lewis Show, further cementing her legacy in media and activism.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Who was Ananda Lewis? Know about the Former MTV VJ who died due to stage 4 breast cancer at 52
Know about Ananda Lewis: Following a protracted fight with stage IV breast cancer, Ananda Lewis, the pioneering MTV VJ turned talk show host, passed away at the age of 52. Her passing has reignited discussions about the significance of screening and the dangers of delaying treatment. After receiving her diagnosis in 2020, Lewis publicly expressed her remorse about postponing mammograms because she was afraid of radiation and selecting alternative therapies. Known for her lively singing on songs like "Total Request Live" in the late 1990s, she went on to host her show, gain recognition as a social activist, and even pursue a career in carpentry. Her son and a strong legacy of charm, integrity, and fortitude that transcends entertainment are left behind by her passing, which was confirmed by her sister Lakshmi. Who was Ananda Lewis? She was an MTV VJ | Credit: X Ananda Lewis was an American television broadcaster, carpenter, former model, and social crusader who lived from March 21, 1973, to June 11, 2025 . From the late 1990s until 2001, she was an MTV veejay. She then left the network to host The Ananda Lewis Show, a syndicated television chat show. From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a correspondent for The Insider. She later pursued a career in carpentry. She was the host of TLC's 2019 While You Were Out revival. Lewis told her Instagram followers on October 1, 2020, that she has been fighting stage 3 breast cancer for the last two years. Ananda Lewis's education qualification Lewis had a strong artistic background, having spent nine years at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts studying dance, theater, music, and photography. Later, while attending Howard University, she mentored at-risk youths and got involved in youth activism through the Youth Leadership and Development Institute (YLDI). She tried out for BET's "Teen Summit," a youth-focused program that tackles important issues in the Black community because she was passionate about making a positive social impact. She interviewed prominent people, including Hillary Clinton and Kobe Bryant, while hosting the show for three seasons. In a 2022 interview with BET, she talked about her desire to try out, recalling, "The kids in my program were like, 'you always tell us life comes opportunities and it's your responsibility to step up. You're not going to now? I'm glad I went and paid attention. Also Read: Who was Tijana Radonjic? A model who died due to panic attack while Parasailing in Adriatic Sea in Budva Ananda Lewis's career Ananda Lewis, a renowned TV host and advocate, dies at 52 after battling stage 4 breast cancer | Credit: X As host of BET's Teen Summit, Lewis initially attracted national acclaim for her work, which struck a deep chord with teenage audiences and brought her respect in the business. She became one of the most recognizable faces on MTV in the mid-1990s after her growing popularity led to significant hosting duties on the network's Total Request Live and Hot Zone. She won several NAACP Image Awards while she worked at MTV. She started a syndicated daytime talk show called The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001. From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a correspondent for The Insider. In 2019, she made her most recent TV appearance on TLC's While You Were Out. Later in life, Lewis obtained a professional trade certificate in carpentry, another skill he pursued. After receiving a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, she chose to pursue alternative therapies. She freely disclosed to her admirers that the illness has advanced to Stage IV by 2024. Ananda Lewis's family Ananda was Native American, primarily of the Creek and Blackfoot tribes, and of African American heritage. "Bliss" is the Sanskrit meaning of her first name. Lewis's father was a computer animation specialist, while her mother was an account manager for Pacific Bell. Lakshmi, her sister, works as a doctor. When Ananda was two years old, Lewis's parents separated, and her mother relocated to San Diego, California, with her girls in order to be close to her mother. Her husband, Harry Smith, the younger brother of Will Smith and the CEO of Smith Global Media, is her surviving relative. Langston, the couple's only child, was born in 2011. What was Ananda Lewis's net worth? She started her show in 2001 | Credit: X Many people are interested in the financial legacy that Ananda Lewis left for her two children in the wake of her death. The website Cloudflare stated that The Ananda Lewis Show is thought to be worth approximately $8 million , despite the fact that no official data have been made public regarding her net worth. How did Ananda Lewis die? After a protracted battle with stage 4 breast cancer, prominent TV anchor Ananda Lewis, a former hostess of the Teen Summit on BET and an MTV VJ, passed away at the age of 52. Her sister Lakshmi confirmed her death in a sorrowful Facebook post, writing, "She's free, and in His heavenly arms." Rest her soul, Lord. But in 2020, Ananda revealed that she had received a breast cancer diagnosis. She later shared her experience with the world in an effort to raise awareness and stop what she believed to be her mistakes. Initially, I intended to rid my body of extra poisons. I know that my body is intelligent, yet I still feel that way. During a roundtable interview with CNN in October 2024, she remarked, "Our bodies are brilliantly made." I decided to preserve my tumor and attempt to remove it from my body in a different manner. I want to return. I must acknowledge my mistakes in this.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Ananda Lewis dies at 52: What was former MTV VJ's net worth?
Ananda Lewis, a popular TV host and a former hostess of the Teen Summit on BET and an MTV VJ, has died at the age of 52 after a long struggle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her death was confirmed by her sister, Lakshmi, who shared the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post: 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.' ALSO READ| Who was Ananda Lewis? Former MTV VJ dies at 52 after breast cancer battle Following her death, many are now wondering what Lewis left for her two children. While exact figures have not been publicly disclosed for her net worth, however, a website named Cloudflare claimed that the Ananda Lewis Show has a net worth of $8 million. Born on 21 March 1973, in Los Angeles, California, Ananda was of African American and Native American heritage, tracing her roots to the Creek and Blackfoot tribes. After her parents divorced when she was just two, Ananda and her sister moved with their mother to San Diego to live near their grandmother. The girls were left with their grandmother when their mother later went to Europe. She started to work as a tutor and counsellor at a Head Start centre at the age of 13, which was a defining experience as she contemplated a career in education or psychology. However, her family pushed her to do something more financially secure. She late graduated cum laude with a degree in history in 1995, at Howard University. Media is where she discovered her purpose, and her interest in youth empowerment and social justice got a strong voice. She first came into the national limelight on Teen Summit, and then became one of the most prominent faces on MTV. ALSO READ| Ananda Lewis family: All on husband Harry Smith and children However, in 2020, Ananda announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Later on, she made her experience open to the world, in the aim of creating awareness and preventing what she felt she got wrong. 'My plan at first was to get out excessive toxins in my body. I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made,' speaking during a roundtable discussion with CNN in October 2024, she reflected. 'I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way. . . . I wish I could go back. It's important for me to admit where I went wrong with this.'
