Lewis revealed in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer

Ananda Lewis, the beloved former MTV VJ and talk show host, has passed away at the age of 52. Her sister, Lakshmi, shared the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 11, writing, “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms.” She included a black and white portrait of Ananda, accompanied by a series of broken heart emojis and the message, “Lord, rest her soul 🙏🏽.”

Lewis gained widespread fame in 1997 when she joined MTV as a VJ, hosting iconic shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. In 1999, The New York Times referred to her as “the hip-hop generation’s reigning It Girl.” After leaving MTV in 2001, she went on to host The Ananda Lewis Show, where her presence continued to captivate audiences.

In a 2020 Instagram post, Ananda shared that she had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, revealing that her fear of radiation led her to skip regular mammograms. She later bravely revealed in a 2024 CNN discussion that her cancer had progressed to stage IV after she decided against a double mastectomy, opting instead for alternative treatments to heal her body. In an emotional reflection, she admitted, “I wish I could go back. It’s important for me to admit where I went wrong with this.”

In an essay published by Essence in January, Ananda expressed her belief in the power of prevention as the true cure for cancer, urging women to stay attuned to their bodies. She wrote, “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.’”

Born in Los Angeles in 1973, Ananda experienced a challenging childhood. Her parents divorced when she was just two years old, and she and her sister moved with their mother to live with their grandmother in San Diego. Ananda opened up about her complicated relationship with her mother in a 1999 interview with Teen People, explaining that her feelings of neglect during her childhood led to a period of rebellion.

After graduating from Howard University in 1995, Ananda began her career as the host of BET’s Teen Summit. Her work there, which included an interview with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, brought her to the attention of MTV. In 1997, she moved to New York and quickly became a fan favorite. Bob Kusbit, then senior vice president for production at MTV, praised her for her natural talent, saying, “In the past, our talent was sometimes just pretty people who could read cue cards. But when we brought Ananda to MTV, we decided we were going to do a lot more live television.”

Throughout her career, Ananda interviewed some of the biggest stars, including Destiny’s Child, NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Brandy. She also used her platform to address pressing social issues like school violence and the tragic death of her close friend, Aaliyah. In 2000, PEOPLE named her one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World, and she became a fixture at major celebrity events.

Ananda left MTV in 2001 to launch The Ananda Lewis Show, but the series only lasted one season. In later years, she hosted various shows, including The Insider and America’s Top Dog, and even explored carpentry and contracting. Despite stepping away from the spotlight, she continued to make an impact on the industry. When MTV News shut down in 2023, Ananda shared her sadness, remarking on the cultural significance of the network, which had been a vital platform for creative and diverse speech.

In 2011, Ananda welcomed a son, Langston, with Harry Smith, brother of actor Will Smith. She is survived by her son, Langston, and will be remembered for her groundbreaking career, her courageous battle with cancer, and the indelible mark she left on the world.

Ananda’s legacy will continue to inspire, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.