Britt Jones
Former MTV host Ananda Lewis has died at the age of 52, her sister Lakshmi has confirmed.
The post, which was published just yesterday (June 11) on Facebook contained a simple tribute for her loved one.
Lakshmi announced: "She’s free, and in His heavenly arms.”
With a series of broken heart emojis, she also added: "Lord, rest her soul."
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Lewis was first hired by MTV to become one of its VJs in 1997, where she would host Hot Zone and Total Request Live before she left in 2001 to host her own talk show called The Ananda Lewis Show.
In 1999, Lewis explained to Teen People that she had a difficult upbringing after her parents got divorced and she and her sister moved with her mother to their grandmother’s home.
She later attended an arts high school and after graduating, she became the host of BET’s Teen Summit, where she interviewed then First Lady Hillary Clinton.
“That experience got me noticed at MTV and in August of 1997, I moved to New York and started working there,” she told the outlet.
Lewis went on to become one of MTV’s most popular hosts.
Sadly, the first indication anyone had that the former host was ill was via a 2020 Instagram post, where she shared that she had stage III breast cancer.
She explained that she had been afraid of radiation and had not been getting regular mammogram checks.
However, her condition would rapidly decline after her diagnosis after she admitted to not taking medical advice.
She explained it further in an October 2024, roundtable discussion with CNN’s Stephanie Elam and CNN anchor Sara Sidner.
She explained that she was advised to undergo go a double mastectomy to remove both breasts, but she declined, as she wanted to practice holistic treatments first.
Sadly, her tumor metastasised and progressed to stage IV after spreading to other areas of her body.
“My plan at first was to get out excessive toxins in my body. I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made,” Lewis said. “I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way. . . . I wish I could go back. It’s important for me to admit where I went wrong with this.”
The news of her death shocked many, and comments began to flood in on the announcement post where people spoke of the impact she had on media, and on MTV lovers.
One person wrote: “I’m so sorry to see this. We were freshman together at Howard and she was always nice to me. Rest in Heaven and sending prayers of comfort and peace to you and your family."
Someone else said: “Ananda was such a gem. In disbelief. May her journey home be filled with joy and love, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew her. Lifting you up LS Emory in prayer sis!"
Another commented: “She is free. No more pain. Her days here on this earth were impactful and amazing. We will always remember her and say her name. We will hold you close my friend. We are here for you. Praying for your strength and peace."