Ananda Lewis, the influential former MTV VJ and TV talk show host, has passed away at the age of 52 following a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer.
The iconic media personality from Los Angeles gained national attention in the late ’90s and early 2000s as a voice of a generation on MTV. Her death was confirmed in a heartfelt Facebook tribute by her sister Lakshmi, who shared, “She’s free and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.”
Lewis had publicly revealed in October last year that her cancer had advanced to stage 4, after being diagnosed years earlier. Her openness about her health journey sparked conversations around early detection and health advocacy, especially for women of color.
Born on March 21, 1973, Ananda rose to prominence during her college years at Howard University. She became widely recognized when she starred as the romantic lead in the music video for Shai’s R&B hit “Baby, I’m Yours,” which was filmed on Howard’s campus.
Before her MTV fame, she hosted BET’s Teen Summit, where she tackled pressing issues affecting youth. One of her most notable interviews from that time was with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1996, showcasing her poise and passion for socially conscious journalism.
Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, authenticity, and advocacy. She will forever be remembered as a cultural trailblazer who used her platform to uplift others.
