Ananda Lewis, a vibrant spirit whose light has dimmed at the tender age of 52, passed away recently. Her sister, Lakshmi, poignantly broke the heart-wrenching news on Facebook on June 11th, penning, "She's free, and in His heavenly arms," accompanied by a cascade of shattered heart emojis and a poignant black-and-white portrait of Lewis. "Lord, rest her soul," Lakshmi fervently prayed.
Lewis soared into the limelight in 1997 when she was recruited as one of MTV's VJs, charming audiences with her hosting duties on shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. The New York Times crowned her "the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl" in 1999. In 2001, she embarked on a new journey, leaving MTV to helm her own talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show.
In a poignant 2020 Instagram post, Lewis bravely disclosed her battle with stage III breast cancer, revealing that her fear of radiation had deterred her from undergoing regular mammograms. Fast forward to October 2024, she engaged in a poignant roundtable discussion with her college friend, CNN's Stephanie Elam, and CNN anchor Sara Sidner. During this heartfelt conversation, Lewis confessed that she had defied medical advice and declined a double mastectomy following her diagnosis. Tragically, her tumor had metastasized, progressing to stage IV cancer. "My initial plan was to purge excessive toxins from my body," she reflected. "I trusted my body's intelligence, convinced of its innate wisdom. Yet, I chose to retain my tumor, seeking an alternative path. I wish I could turn back time. It's crucial for me to acknowledge my misstep here."
In a profound essay published in Essence in January, Lewis emphasized that "prevention is the real cure" for cancer, urging women to be vigilant about their health. "We're not destined for eternity here. We embark on this life journey, gather experiences, and then we depart," she penned. "Embracing this reality transforms how we live. I aspire to avoid unnecessary suffering. For me, that's the essence of a fulfilling life. When my time comes, I yearn to reflect on my journey, saying, 'I lived exactly as I wished.'"
Born in Los Angeles in 1973, Lewis's childhood was marked by turmoil as her parents divorced when she was just 2 years old. She and her sister, Lakshmi, relocated with their mother to live with their grandmother in San Diego. In 1999, Lewis opened up to Teen People about her strained relationship with her mother during her youth, sharing, "Mom was overwhelmed from the start, shattered by the divorce and struggling to provide for us. I felt neglected, fostering deep resentment towards her."
Her legacy lives on, a testament to her courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit.
By the tender age of ten, I had transformed into a defiant and rebellious child, clashing with my mother over virtually everything," she recounted. Her journey led her to an arts-focused high school, where she immersed herself in theatrical performances and volunteer work. Upon graduating from Howard University in 1995, she secured a hosting gig for BET's Teen Summit, filmed in Washington D.C. During one episode, she had the honor of interviewing then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. "This experience caught MTV's attention, and in August 1997, I relocated to New York to embark on my career there," she shared with Teen People. Prior to that, in December 1996, after a period of estrangement, she reconciled with her mother. "I chose to put an end to the animosity and resentment towards my mom, ushering in a new chapter focused on love, forgiveness, and gratitude for her," she elaborated.
Lewis swiftly emerged as one of MTV's most beloved hosts. In 1999, Bob Kusbit, MTV's then-senior vice president of production, told The New York Times about her, "In the past, our talent sometimes comprised merely good-looking individuals who could read cue cards. But when we welcomed Ananda to MTV, we decided to expand our live television presence, and I was particularly impressed by her proficiency in live TV." Lewis interviewed luminaries such as Destiny's Child, Brandy, NSYNC, Britney Spears, and countless others. She also tackled profound topics for the network, including school violence and the tragic passing of her close friend Aaliyah in 2001.
In 2000, PEOPLE magazine honored Lewis as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. She frequently graced celebrity events, earning praise even from Prince, who declared to The New York Times, "Ananda is Cleopatra. She is undeniably a queen." In 2001, Lewis departed from MTV to launch her eponymous talk show. "I sought a change," she confessed to Teen People at the time. "It was about proving to myself that I could pull this off." The series premiered on September 10, 2001, but unfortunately, it only lasted one season.
Reflecting on the show with Shondaland, Lewis said, "I wish I had halted those who encouraged me to do the talk show and said, 'Not yet, it's premature for this.' It was overwhelming for me." She expressed dissatisfaction, clarifying, "It wasn't what I had envisioned signing up for." Lewis took a hiatus from television, later resurfacing as a host for The Insider, a spin-off of Entertainment Tonight. She also participated in the reality series Celebrity Mole: Yucatán and hosted A&E's America's Top Dog and TLC's While You Were Out. Additionally, Lewis ventured into contracting and carpentry.
When MTV News ceased operations in 2023, Lewis offered a poignant reflection in a statement to PEOPLE, "A cornerstone of creative and diverse expression is crumbling. MTV News covered stories that others couldn't. We gained access to historic concert stages alongside DMX and Korn. Artists entrusted MTV News with their narratives." She further stated, "Though I was technically a VJ, I collaborated on numerous specials with MTV News and understand firsthand the immense loss this is for music culture and its enthusiasts."
In 2011, Lewis welcomed her son Langston with Harry Smith, the brother of Will Smith. She is survived by her beloved son.
