Ananda Lewis, former MTV video jockey and television host, died Wednesday morning at her Los Angeles home following a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 52.
Lewis’ sister, Lakshmi Emory, announced the death in a Facebook post on June 11, writing, “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms.” Emory confirmed to TMZ that Lewis died from Stage 4 breast cancer while in hospice care.
Born March 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, Lewis rose to prominence as a television host who became known as “the hip-hop generation’s reigning It Girl” by The New York Times in 1999. She began her entertainment career after graduating from Howard University in 1995, landing a role as host of BET’s “Teen Summit” in 1993, where she interviewed then-First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Lewis gained mainstream fame in 1997 when MTV hired her as a video jockey. She hosted popular shows including “Total Request Live” and “Hot Zone,” interviewing celebrities such as Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, and NSYNC. During her time at MTV, she also covered serious topics including school violence and the 2001 death of singer Aaliyah, who was her close friend.
In 2001, Lewis left MTV to host her own syndicated talk show, “The Ananda Lewis Show,” which premiered September 10, 2001, but lasted only one season. Lewis later expressed regret about the timing, telling Shondaland that she wished she had told producers it was too early for such a venture. She described the experience as “overkill” and noted it wasn’t what she had signed up for.
Following her talk show, Lewis worked as a correspondent for “The Insider,” a spin-off of “Entertainment Tonight,” from 2004 to 2005. She also appeared on reality series “Celebrity Mole: Yucatán” and hosted A&E’s “America’s Top Dog” and TLC’s “While You Were Out.” Additionally, Lewis became a contractor and carpenter during her career.
In October 2020, Lewis revealed her Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in an Instagram video, acknowledging she had avoided regular mammograms due to fear of radiation exposure. She disclosed that she had been fighting the disease for nearly two years at that point. Lewis urged women to get mammograms, stating that she had a nine-year-old son she needed to be present for.
During a CNN roundtable discussion in October 2024, Lewis revealed that doctors had recommended a double mastectomy following her diagnosis, but she chose alternative treatments. She explained that she felt overwhelmed as a stay-at-home mother homeschooling her son, noting that cancer happens on top of existing life responsibilities.
Lewis pursued homeopathic treatments, including dietary changes and fractionated chemotherapy, which medical experts do not recommend as effective. She later acknowledged regretting her decision, admitting she went against medical advice and expressing that she wished she could go back and make different choices.
By October 2023, Lewis discovered through PET scans that her cancer had metastasized to her spine, hips, and lymph nodes, progressing to Stage 4. She relocated to Arizona, where she combined holistic and conventional treatments, including insulin-potentiation chemotherapy. However, she encountered financial difficulties that made it challenging to maintain her holistic treatment regimen.
In January 2025, Lewis published an essay in Essence magazine emphasizing that “prevention is the real cure” for cancer. She urged women to pay attention to their bodies and make lifestyle changes to avoid her experience. Lewis wrote about accepting life’s temporary nature and focusing on quality of life rather than suffering unnecessarily.
During her 2024 interview with ABC News’ Kelley L. Carter, Lewis reflected on her legacy, expressing that she wanted to be remembered for loving hard and living loud without backing away from problems. She indicated that life owed her nothing and that she remained grateful for each day she received.
Lewis faced criticism from some for her treatment decisions, but she maintained that critics didn’t know her personal situation or details. She emphasized focusing on what she could control rather than wasting time on others’ opinions.
Throughout her career, Lewis received recognition, including an NAACP Image Award for her work. People magazine named her one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 2000. Even Prince was a vocal fan, telling The New York Times that “Ananda is Cleopatra. You know she’s a queen.”
Lewis is survived by her son, Langston, whom she welcomed in 2011 with Harry Smith, brother of actor Will Smith. Her sister Lakshmi provided a statement to Fox News Digital describing Lewis as “a beacon of light, who lit up the world with her intellect, passion and beauty.”