United States – Ananda Lewis, beloved former MTV host and tv persona, has died on the age of 52 following a protracted battle with breast most cancers. The information was confirmed by her sister, Lakshmi Emory, in a heartfelt Fb tribute on Wednesday.
Lewis rose to fame within the Nineteen Nineties as a video jockey (VJ) on MTV, the place she grew to become a well-recognized face to thousands and thousands of younger viewers on hit reveals comparable to Whole Request Dwell and Sizzling Zone. Her partaking presence and considerate interviews made her a standout determine throughout a transformative period in music tv.
Earlier than her rise on MTV, Lewis made her tv debut because the host of BET’s Teen Summit, a present centered on social points affecting younger Black Individuals. Her work on this system, which featured distinguished friends like Kobe Bryant and Hillary Clinton, was rooted in her early activism and mentorship. A graduate of Howard College, Lewis had labored extensively with youth packages, together with the Youth Management and Growth Institute and “Youth at Danger,” the place she educated and supported youngsters.
Lewis publicly disclosed her breast most cancers prognosis in 2020 and spoke candidly about her determination to pursue various remedies relatively than typical surgical procedure. “This journey could be very private,” she advised CNN throughout a 2024 podcast interview. “I made a decision to maintain my tumor and attempt to work it out of my physique a unique means.”
Her bravery and dedication to doing what felt proper for her earned admiration from followers and friends alike.
Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, authenticity, and dedication to youth advocacy. She is remembered not just for her impression on display screen however for the lives she touched behind the scenes.
