Latest news with #AnandaLewis
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Destiny's Child icon pays tribute to MTV trailblazer Ananda Lewis after tragic death aged 52
Kelly Rowland paid tribute to Ananda Lewis after the MTV trailblazer passed away at 52 following her breast cancer battle. The former MTV VJ died this week following a seven-year battle with cancer and had shared a heartbreaking final post before her sister announced her passing. The 44-year-old singer rose to fame alongside her band members Beyoncé and Michelle Williams in the late 1990s and often crossed paths with Lewis on MTV. In a tribute dedicated to Lewis, the Destiny's Child icon shared that she has 'the most amazing memories' of the time they spent together. Rowland recalled how she and the late MTV star were once at a Sade concert and had fun 'belting' out songs together until both of their throats felt 'hoarse.' Alongside a portrait of the late star, she wrote: 'Interviews, yeah! But my fav is us singing together at a SADE concert, at THE TOP of our lungs! We both left hoarse, but did not care!' She gushed about the late journalist and shared her 'love and prayers' to Lewis' family and friends. 'Her spirit, SOUL, her [heart]... she was just an ALL around cool, beautiful, FLY woman! I am at a loss for words! BUT SENDING her LOVED ONES, my love and prayers!' Lewis had previously interviewed Destiny's Child nearly two decades ago, and the rising stars had crossed paths multiple times in Hollywood. On Wednesday, July 11, Lewis passed away after her seven-year battle with cancer. She had also recently shared her past regrets as she warned fans to focus on their health in one of her final Instagram posts. The former MTV VJ's death was announced by her sister Lakshmi Emory via a Facebook post. She shared a black and white portrait of Lewis with the caption: 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.' In a post to her Instagram page in February Lewis told her followers that she had some regrets about her diagnosis and that she wished she had done things differently. On Wednesday, July 11, Lewis passed away after her seven-year battle with cancer. The former MTV VJ's death was announced by her sister Lakshmi Emory via a Facebook post; pictured September 2005 in West Hollywood Lewis had previously said she had refused a double mastectomy. She said: 'Is that body you're in right now healthy? I mean like relatively, no big diseases. If so, consider it like a winning lotto ticket.' 'I know I don't talk a lot about what I go through on a day-to-day basis wrestling the big C monster. 'Part of it is because I refuse to give it anymore energy than it's already taking from my life. 'It doesn't matter how bad things are in my body right now. What does matter is keep you out of this club. ' There are things I wish I did differently like 10 years ago to prevent cancer and I am talking about them.' She then mentioned a story she did with Essence magazine in which she further delved into her cancer battle. Lewis added: 'You can avoid this, only five to ten percent of cancers have anything to do with genetics. 'That leaves 90 percent that are environmentally or lifestyle influences, and some of those are things you can control. 'Prevention is the cure, because preserving your health is way easier than fighting to get it back.' As a fixture on MTV in the late 1990s, Ananda hosted hit shows like Total Request Live, Hot Zone and Spring Break. Lewis nabbed her very own daytime TV talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, in 2001, which ran for one season. She earned two NAACP Image Awards during her career and was once deemed the 'the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl' by The New York Times. Lakshmi told TMZ that her sister died at her home in Los Angeles at 11:35am on Wednesday, June 11. She was in hospice care at the time of her death. Lakshmi said that a memorial would be held 'in a few weeks' and that celebrities who Ananda previously interviewed have already expressed interest in paying tribute to her at the upcoming service. In October 2020 Ananda shocked fans when she announced on social media that she'd been privately battling stage III breast cancer. 'I have been fighting to get cancer out of my body for almost two years,' she shared in the six-minute video posted to Instagram. She also admitted that she'd avoided getting regular mammograms due to fear of radiation exposure. 'I have refused mammograms... that was a mistake. I watched my mom get mammogrammed for 30 years almost and at the end of that she had breast cancer,' she explained. Four years after her announcement, Ananda confirmed that her breast cancer had metastasized and advanced to stage IV. She spoke about deciding not to undergo a double mastectomy in an October 2024 interview with CNN. Lewis explained that she had originally planned to 'keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way.' But when her tumor eventually metastasized, Ananda realized that she probably 'should have' gone through with the life-saving surgery. Days after her CNN interview, Lewis clarified her comments about refusing a double mastectomy. She said: 'My quality of life was very important to me, like there's a certain things I know I'm not gonna be okay with and I know myself. I want to want to be here, so I had to do it a certain way, for me.' Lewis's last Instagram post was made on March 7 as she paid tribute to the legendary R&B hitmaker Roberta Flack, who died on February 24 of Roberta Flack at age 88. She wrote: 'Rest in Power [heart emoji] Thank you for shining your light so bright as Roberta Flack and leaving a musical legacy that will bless us forever' Lewis was born in Los Angeles in March 21, 1973 but her parents' divorce when she was just two-years-old led to her being raised by her mother and grandmother in San Diego, California along with her sister Lakshmi. She attended an arts high school before studying at historic Howard University in Washington, DC. She graduated from in 1995. Lewis first garnered TV fame as a host of BET's youth talk-show Teen Summit in Washington D.C., where she famously interviewed then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. Ananda quickly became a fan-favorite fixture on MTV and interviewed many of the major stars of the late 90s and early 2000s, including Britney Spears and Beyonce. In 2001, the star took a major career leap as she left MTV to become the host of her very own daytime talk show. The Ananda Lewis Show premiered in 2001 but was short-lived as it went off the air after one season. She served as a correspondent for The Insider from 2004 to 2005. Lewis then became a carpenter and hosted the 2019 revival of While You Were Out on TLC.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ananda Lewis Broke Barriers As An MTV VJ. Her Life, Cut Short At 52, Should Be Celebrated
Ananda Lewis during 2005 MTV Movie Awards - Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, ... More California, United States. (Photo by Jason Squires/WireImage) I, like millions of others who grew up in the 1990s, wanted my MTV. Sure, we were there for the videos. But the video jockeys, known as VJs, elevated the experience with the style and spice you could see, and not just hear, like radio DJs. Ananda Lewis was my favorite MTV VJ. She was more than a trailblazing television host. In many ways, she was an advocate for issues of the day as well as a 'TV friend' during my most formative years. Tragically, at the age of 52, she lost her battle with breast cancer on June 11, 2025. While breast cancer deaths are on the decline, the CDC estimates 42,000+ women and 500+ men are expected to succumb to the disease this year alone. With Ananda's passing, her legacy of charisma, intelligence and commitment to social issues should be remembered and reflected on. At a time before social media was commonplace—when only a few voices earned a platform to speak for a generation—she connected with music fans around the world, to both amplify artists' voices and spotlight critical social topics, through specials like True Life: I Am Driving While Black—all with an understanding of the power of media to drive change across the U.S. There are many reasons that her life deserves to be celebrated. Ananda Lewis joined the MTV Network in 1997. Known simply by her first name, which means 'bliss' in Sanskrit, America got a taste of her style, voice and vibes, and she quickly became a standout host on the uber-popular Total Request Live (TRL), MTV Live, Hot Zone and MTV Jams. In the prime of the network's cultural heyday, Ananda was able to connect with audiences while introducing the latest music videos, and conducting interviews with a seemingly never-ending list of celebrities. Her storytelling brought authenticity and depth to MTV's programming. Way before diversity was a department or a buzzword, she brought a unique multicultural look, original name and flawless style to an American youth seeking visual inspiration. In 2000, she was featured in People magazine's list of the world's '50 Most Beautiful People.' In 2001, she launched the Ananda Lewis Show, albeit with unfortunate timing, on the day before the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A few years later, she followed up that eponymous show as the chief correspondent for an Entertainment Tonight spin-off, The Insider. SANTA MONICA, CA - AUGUST 6: Singers Justin Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick and JC Chasez of NSYNC and ... More MTV VJ Ananda Lewis attend the Second Annual Teen Choice Awards on August 6, 2000 at the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Air Center in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) Ananda was born in Los Angeles, California, and attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts before heading to the nation's capital to matriculate at Howard University. As an activist with the Youth Leadership and Development Institute, she worked with teenagers across customized learning programs designed to support at-risk youth. It was that passion which led her to audition for BET's Teen Summit, a groundbreaking series focused on social issues affecting young Black Americans. As the host of Teen Summit, Lewis got the opportunity to interview a wide range of special guests, from NBA legend Kobe Bryant to First Lady Hillary Clinton, hitting new angles of journalism that directly addressed and resonated with young viewers. Dave Chappelle and Ananda Lewis at the Los Angeles DVD Block Party to celebrate the June 13 release ... More of "Dave Chappelle's Block Party." Comedy superstar Dave Chappelle attended the Los Angeles DVD Block Party at the Best Buy in Culver City, California to celebrate the June 13 release of "Dave Chappelle's Block Party. Chappelle posed for pictures and signed autographs with the unsuspecting shoppers. An uncensored and unrated full-length movie about throwing the ultimate block party, "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" arrives on DVD June 13 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc for Universal Home Video) In 2020, Lewis first revealed she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, sharing the news in an Instagram video with the hope to encourage women to get a mammograms. Eventually, her cancer, progressed to stage 4, yet she reflected resilience and grace as she faced her illness, and her optimism shined through as she found moments of joy in the midst of adversity. As a Black female voice in media, Ananda Lewis's impact broke many invisible barriers. She challenged stereotypes and in many subtle ways paved the way for the generation that followed. With the outpouring of fans' reactions to the news of her passing, her life serves as a reminder of the importance early detection and self-care, but also the fragility of life. She is survived by her son, Langston, born in 2011. As we remember Ananda Lewis, let's honor her by continuing the work she championed—advocating for equity, amplifying underrepresented voices, and prioritizing pushing the envelope.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
CNN's Sara Sidner breaks down as she shares emotional tribute to MTV VJ Ananda Lewis
CNN anchor Sara Sidner struggled to hold back tears as she issued an emotional report on her friend and broadcast peer, former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis. In a special report, Sidner paid tribute to Lewis, who died on Wednesday after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. The co-anchor of CNN News Central was joined by network correspondent Stephanie Elam to share their heart wrenching reaction to Lewis' death in a vulnerable segment. Elam and Sidner have also battled breast cancer, and in only October last year had come together with Lewis to share their individual journeys with viewers. On Wednesday's broadcast, Elam revealed she had visited Lewis in the hospital to say goodbye just one day ago. Elam revealed that she was covering the protests in Los Angeles when she got the heartbreaking call that Lewis' health was declining. 'So, I drove to be with her and held her hand, and told her how much I love her,' Elam said, holding back tears. 'Two thirds of my life she has been my ride or die. We have been there, going through things, we would text, and we would message each other all the time,' she continued. 'I was planning on getting off the air yesterday and going back to see her,' Elam said, adding that after she finished the broadcast, she saw a text from Lewis' sister letting her know that her friend had passed away. Elam added that she was 'so glad' she got to see Lewis the night before her death and wanted everyone know that the former MTV star was a peace. 'She was at peace with this decision, she had come to grips with it,' the CNN reporter said. Lewis had battled breast cancer for nearly seven years, and decided to take a nontraditional route with her treatment. She didn't undergo a double mastectomy when she was first diagnosed with the disease, and the cancer eventually spread. Elam admitted that Lewis was 'hard headed' at times, but praised her friend for dealing with her diagnosis in her own way. Elam then revealed the last text Lewis sent her, which read, 'You know my feelings on this. We all go, these bodies are on loan and must be returned. 'We come in love and choose to leave it with love as well.' Lewis then told Elam in her final messages, 'I love you, my wonderful lifelong bestie of besties.' Elam and Sidner remembered Lewis as an 'awesome' mom, auntie, and friend, praising the MTV star's legacy. 'She was always trying to help people through things herself, whether it would be something funny like, you know, your skin care, your skin routine, or fixing up your house,' Sidner said. CNN had shared a special story last October to look at the different ways breast cancer can be fought. While Sidner opted for the double mastectomy, Lewis decided to try homeopathic remedies along with medication and radiation. '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,' Lewis told Elam and Sidner on CNN. 'I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way,' she continued, before adding: 'Looking back on that, I go, 'You know what? Maybe I should have.'' Elam (right) said that even though Lewis was 'hard headed' about her decisions, she praised her friend's ability to go about cancer in her own way Lewis then revealed her cancer spread to her lymph system, forcing her to have 'a conversation with death.' The former MTV VJ later clarified her comments and said she considered getting the mastectomy, but wasn't able to as California hospitals deemed the surgery a non-emergency operation during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. In a post on Instagram in February, Lewis admitted to her followers, 'It doesn't matter how bad things are in my body right now. What does matter is keep you out of this club. 'There are things I wish I did differently like 10 years ago to prevent cancer and I am talking about them.' Lewis then urged her followers to focus on prevention measures, adding 'preserving your health is way easier than fighting to get it back.' Sidner and Elam praised Lewis' candor during their on-air tribute and said they believed their friend saved many lives by urging regular mammograms. Lewis rose to fame in the 1990s, hosting shows on MTV like Total Request Live, Hot Zone, and Spring Break. She then hosted a daytime talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, in 2001 for one season. Lewis was a correspondent for The Insider from 2004 to 2005 and then became a carpenter, hosting the 2019 revival of While You Were Out on TLC. She is survived by her husband Harry Smith, whose brother is A-list actor Will Smith, and her 14-year-old son, Langston.
Fox News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis dead at 52 after breast cancer battle
Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ and talk show host, has died after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 52. The Associated Press reported Lewis' death, citing her sister's Facebook announcement shared June 11. "She's free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul," Ananda's sister, Lakshmi Emory, wrote. Lewis' career began as a host on BET's "Teen Summit." She interviewed big names like Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur and the first lady at the time, Hillary Clinton, which later earned her an NAACP Image Award, according to The Associated Press. In 1997, Lewis shot to fame after she was hired as one of MTV's VJs, hosting "Hot Zone" and "Total Request Live." Lewis left MTV in 2001 and became the host of her own talk show, "The Ananda Lewis Show," which aired for one season. "She's free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul." Lewis told the AP in 2001 she faced backlash after leaving BET for MTV. "I wouldn't say in a strong way because I think most people who were in my fan base at 'Teen Summit' understand that growth is necessary. One of the main things we dealt with on a consistent basis, like the underlying theme of all the shows, is you've got to get out there and live your life," she said. "The bottom line is this is about you. So, how do you want to grow and whom do you want to develop into? My justification is that I say to kids, 'Be your best and take advantage of every opportunity.' So, I couldn't sit in a place of not taking advantage of an opportunity," she told the outlet at the time. In 2020, Lewis took to Instagram to share that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. It advanced to Stage 4 last year. "This is tough for me, but if just ONE woman decides to get her mammogram after watching this, what I'm going through will be worth it. PRACTICE EARLY DETECTION. Share this with a woman you love. These 6 minutes could help save her life. I love you guys," Lewis captioned her video at the time. In her video, she noted that she was not getting routine mammograms due to her fear of radiation. Lewis later said doctors recommended a double mastectomy, but she opted for alternative methods. She eventually realized that was the wrong measure, becoming an advocate for being up to date with mammogram checkups. Lewis penned an essay for Essence in January and emphasized that "prevention is the real cure" when it comes to breast cancer. "We're not meant to stay here forever. We come to this life, have experiences — and then we go. "Being real about that with yourself changes how you choose to live. I don't want to spend one more minute than I have to suffering unnecessarily. That, for me, is not the quality of life I'm interested in. 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,'" Lewis wrote. After walking away from her talk show, Lewis made appearances as a host on "The Insider," TLC's "While You Were Out," and A&E's "America's Top Dog."
The Independent
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ananda Lewis, former MTV and BET host who publicly shared breast cancer journey, dies
Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis' death in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lewis had been battling breast cancer. 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms,' Emory wrote. ' Lord, rest her soul.' Lewis, a San Diego native, made a name for herself as a host on BET's 'Teen Summit,' which tackled issues facing Black youth and featured community leaders, entertainers and politicians. She landed big interviews with Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur and Louis Farrakhan and then-first lady Hillary Clinton, which earned her an NAACP Image Award. After a few seasons, Lewis took her talents over to MTV in 1997. She was a host and veejay on 'MTV Live.' 'Hot Zone' and 'Total Request Live," a daily top 10 video countdown show. Lewis told The Associated Press that she felt some backlash after moving from BET to MTV. 'I wouldn't say in a strong way because I think most people who were in my fan base at 'Teen Summit' understand that growth is necessary,' she said. ' One of the main things we dealt with on a consistent basis, like the underlying theme of all the shows is you've got to get out there and live your life. The bottom line is this is about you, so how do you want to grow and whom do you want to develop into? My justification is that I say to kids: 'be your best and take advantage of every opportunity,' so I couldn't sit in a place of not taking advantage of an opportunity." In 2001, Lewis told the AP that she wasn't trying to reinvent daytime talk with her new syndicated series, 'The Ananda Lewis Show.' 'There's only so much different you can do in daytime, which is what I'm learning. There's a certain way, I guess, people are used to doing things and that way's not going to change for a while,' she said. 'I think there's a formula, and some cases have proven that formula works. So the objective isn't to reinvent the wheel but to make it spin a little more smoothly.' Lewis' show lasted only one season. But a few years later, she became a correspondent for 'The Insider,' a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight." Lewis was open about her cancer journey since she publicly shared her diagnosis in 2020. At that time, the disease was initially stage 3 before it advanced to stage 4 last year. She had been living with breast cancer for six years. Lewis said doctors recommended a double mastectomy, but she opted for alternative methods. She eventually realized that was the wrong measure, becoming an advocate for being up-to-date with mammogram checkups. 'I need you to share this with the women in your life who may be as stubborn as I was about mammograms, and I need you to tell them that they have to do it,' Lewis said in her announcement. 'Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save their life.'
