Ananda Lewis, former MTV VJ, dies at 52
FILE - TV Personality Ananda Lewis visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 21, 2019 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ and host, has died. She was 52 years old.
Lewis’ sister, Lakshmi, made the announcement of her death in a Facebook post that was published on Wednesday.
"She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul," the post read.
Lewis is survived by her son, Langston.
Ananda Lewis’ cancer battle
Dig deeper:
Lewis died after a long battle with breast cancer, according to TMZ.
Lewis died in a hospice in Los Angeles, California Wednesday morning, Lakshmi told TMZ Hip Hop.
The former TV host announced she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2020 via her Instagram account and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in October 2024.
The "It Girl"
Lewis first caught MTV's attention as the host of BET's Teen Summit in 1995 and by 1997, she got a job offer and moved to New York City, according to People.
She became one of MTV's most beloved VJs and hosted shows such as "Total Request Live" and "Hot Zone." Lewis was even dubbed "the hip-hop generation's reigning ‘It Girl’" by the New York Times in 1997.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from reporting by People magazine, Variety, TMZ and a Facebook post published by Ananda Lewis’ sister, Lakshmi, on Facebook on June 11, 2025. This story was reported from Los Angeles.