Former MTV video jockey and television host Ananda Lewis died June 11 at age 52 following a six-year battle with breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, announced the death in a Facebook post Wednesday morning, writing that Lewis was “free, and in His heavenly arms.”
Lewis died from Stage 4 breast cancer while in hospice care at her Los Angeles home, according to her sister. The television personality had been battling the disease since her initial diagnosis in 2019, though she did not publicly reveal her condition until October 2020.
Born March 21, 1973, in Los Angeles and raised in San Diego, Lewis graduated from Howard University in 1995 before beginning her entertainment career. She first gained recognition as host of BET’s “Teen Summit” in 1993, a talk show program focusing on issues affecting Black teenagers that featured live performances and interviews with notable figures including then-First Lady Hillary Clinton.
MTV hired Lewis as a video jockey in 1997, where she quickly gained popularity hosting shows including “Total Request Live” and “Hot Zone.” The New York Times called her “the hip-hop generation’s reigning It Girl” in 1999. She left the network in 2001 to host her own syndicated talk show, “The Ananda Lewis Show,” which aired for one season from 2001 to 2002.
Lewis later worked as a correspondent for entertainment news show “The Insider” from 2004 to 2017. She stepped away from the entertainment industry in the 2010s to become a carpenter and briefly returned to television hosting a 2019 reboot of home improvement series “While You Were Out.”
In October 2020, Lewis revealed her breast cancer diagnosis through an Instagram video, explaining she had been fighting the disease for nearly two years. She disclosed that she had initially refused regular mammograms due to fear of radiation exposure, acknowledging this decision as a mistake. At the time of her announcement, Lewis was battling Stage 3 cancer.
Lewis urged other women to prioritize regular screenings, stating in her Instagram video that she hoped her disclosure would encourage even one woman to get a mammogram. She emphasized the importance of early detection while sharing details about necessary changes to her diet and lifestyle during treatment.
During an October 2024 roundtable discussion with CNN correspondents Sara Sidner and Stephanie Elam, Lewis revealed her cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and metastasized to her spine, hips and lymph nodes by October 2023. She discussed her decision to decline doctors’ recommended double mastectomy, instead opting for alternative therapies focused on cleansing her body of toxins.
Lewis explained she had relocated to Arizona to combine holistic and conventional treatments, including insulin-potentiation chemotherapy, which involves lower chemotherapy doses based on the theory that insulin helps more medication enter cells. She acknowledged facing financial difficulties that made maintaining her holistic treatment regimen challenging.
In her final interview with ABC News in October 2024, Lewis reflected on the criticism she received for her treatment choices. She indicated that none of those critics knew her personally or understood the details of her situation, emphasizing she would not waste time battling opinions that had no bearing on her life.
Lewis addressed the disproportionate impact of breast cancer on Black women during the CNN roundtable, noting that Black women are approximately 40 percent more likely to die from the disease than white women despite similar diagnosis rates. She attributed this disparity partly to historical mistrust of the medical system within the Black community.
CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam, who was Lewis’ college roommate and lifelong friend, shared details about Lewis’ final days during an emotional on-air tribute. Elam visited Lewis the day before her death and noted her condition declined rapidly from what they expected to be weeks to just hours.
Elam revealed Lewis’ final text message, 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.” The message concluded with Lewis telling Elam “I love you my wonderful lifelong bestie of besties.”
Lewis is survived by her 14-year-old son, Langston, whom she shares with Harry Smith, the younger brother of actor Will Smith. Her death has prompted tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered her contributions to television and her advocacy for breast cancer awareness.
Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston, who is also battling Stage 4 breast cancer, expressed how Lewis’ death affected her own cancer journey. Thurston acknowledged that Lewis’ passing left her feeling unsettled about her own diagnosis, particularly regarding her decision to keep her tumor while awaiting a double mastectomy.
In her 2024 interview, Lewis reflected on her legacy, expressing hope that people would remember her as someone who loved deeply and lived boldly. She emphasized that life is temporary and encouraged others to do their best while acknowledging that everyone faces the same ultimate fate.
