Remembering Ananda Lewis: Beloved BET and MTV Host Dies at 52


Ananda Lewis, the beloved media character who rose to fame as a number on each BET and MTV earlier than launching her personal discuss present, has handed at age 52 after a prolonged battle with breast most cancers. After going public together with her prognosis, Lewis turned outspoken about her well being battle and advocated for preventive measures and consciousness. It was indicative of her lifelong dedication to serving her neighborhood.

An alumna of Howard College, Lewis initially got here into public recognition through her time as host of BET’s Teen Summit. A present for younger individuals and by younger individuals, Lewis’ tenure started in 1995, and she or he sat heart stage and led teenagers by conversations about medication, intercourse and gangs – all whereas nonetheless solely in her early 20s herself. It solid her public picture as an attentive and empathetic interviewer; whereas additionally emphasizing her sense of enjoyable and spontaneity. Lewis would transfer on to MTV in 1997, the place she hosted hit exhibits like Whole Request Dwell and MTV Dwell en path to changing into one of many community’s extra standard personalities. She interviewed stars like NSYNC and Future’s Little one, and hosted informative specials concerning the Columbine taking pictures and a tribute to her pal Aaliyah after the singer’s dying in 2001.

American R&B musician Maxwell (R) and American MTV VJ Ananda Lewis (L) backstage at the VH1 Fashion Awards in October 1998 in New York City, New York.

American R&B musician Maxwell (R) and American MTV VJ Ananda Lewis (L) backstage on the VH1 Style Awards in October 1998 in New York Metropolis, New York.

Picture by Catherine McGann/Getty Photographs.

Lewis was identified with ER/PR optimistic, HER2-negative breast most cancers at Stage 3 in 2019. In 2024, she revealed in an interview with CNN’s Sara Snider that her most cancers had progressed to Stage 4.

“We’re not meant to remain right here eternally,” she defined in a Feb. 2025 ESSENCE story about her journey. “We come to this life, have experiences — after which we go. Being actual about that with your self adjustments the way you select to stay. I don’t need to spend yet another minute than I’ve to struggling unnecessarily. That, for me, will not be the standard of life I’m interested by. When it’s time for me to go, I need to have the ability to look again on my life and say, ‘I did that precisely how I needed to.’ All of us have that proper. I do know I’ve accomplished the fitting factor for me. It won’t be the fitting factor for anyone else, nevertheless it doesn’t should be. “

In what could be her last submit on Instagram, Lewis was advocating for consciousness and urging individuals to study preventive measures to keep away from most cancers.

“Prevention IS the remedy,” she posted in February. “In the event you’re in a wholesome physique, you’re holding a profitable lotto ticket. PLEASE discover ways to keep away from most cancers. Since you nonetheless can. Love you💜.”

For a era that got here of age together with her on their screens, Ananda Lewis will at all times epitomize intelligence, professionalism and keenness, fierceness and enjoyable. She was a fighter and was dedicated to creating a distinction — whether or not it was speaking to younger individuals on Teen Summit in her youth, or advocating for breast most cancers consciousness in her later years.

R.I.P.

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