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Ananda Lewis, the beloved tv host, journalist, and fierce advocate for Black girls’s well being, has handed away following a years-long battle with stage 4 breast most cancers. Her sister, Lakshmi, confirmed the information in a Fb put up.
Ananda was 52.
Ananda Lewis Was The It Lady In The ’90s – We Cherished To See Her
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I received to know Ananda later in life, and she or he left an enduring impression on me. However I used to be not the one one.
A whole era of Black girls noticed themselves mirrored in Ananda—sensible, grounded, trendy, and unapologetically actual. She first captured hearts within the late ’90s as a number of BET’s Teen Summit and shortly grew to become probably the most recognizable faces in media when she joined MTV in 1997. Internet hosting exhibits like TRL and Scorching Zone, Ananda was that woman – elegant, quick-witted, and all the time prepared when the cameras got here on.
Although she joked with me as soon as about not having grown up with cable (or seeing the exhibits she would later host), she grew to become the face of a few of its most iconic programming. Ananda related with audiences nationwide and interviewed a few of the greatest stars of the time – from Future’s Baby and Britney Spears to Brandy and Hillary Clinton.
Ananda Lewis Makes use of Her Breast Most cancers Analysis To Empower Others & Elevate Consciousness
In 2020, Ananda shared with the world that she had been recognized with breast most cancers – a deeply private revelation that grew to become a brand new chapter in her legacy. She defined that she had prevented mammograms for years resulting from considerations about radiation publicity.
RELATED: Ananda Lewis Opens Up About Her Battle With Stage 3 Breast Most cancers
However in true Ananda trend, she didn’t keep silent. As a substitute, she turned her story right into a platform, utilizing her voice to lift consciousness and urge different Black girls to prioritize their well being.
Whilst her most cancers progressed to stage 4, Ananda stayed intentional. She selected a holistic method to care and was clear about not present process a double mastectomy regardless of medical suggestions. She centered on eradicating toxins and sustaining what she outlined as a top quality of life. In February 2025, she printed a strong essay in Essence, the place she spoke overtly about her journey and the significance of listening to your physique:
“We aren’t meant to remain right here eternally,” she wrote. “We come to this life, have experiences, after which we go. Being actual about that with your self adjustments the way you select to reside. I don’t wish to spend yet another minute than I’ve to struggling unnecessarily. That, for me, just isn’t the standard of life I’m excited about. When it’s time for me to go, I need to have the ability to look again at my life and say I did precisely what I wished to.”
That quote captures the spirit of the lady so many knew and admired. Ananda lived by her personal guidelines.
Ananda Lewis’ Legacy Lives On
She was born in Los Angeles in 1973, attended an arts highschool, and graduated from Howard College. Her profession ultimately landed her first massive function on Teen Summit, however her affect prolonged past tv.
Those that labored together with her noticed firsthand how devoted she was to shifting conversations—particularly round Black girls’s well being. She made house for the reality, even when it was onerous.
That’s how I got here to know her.
I had the chance to work together with her as she started sharing extra about her most cancers journey publicly. She was obsessed with getting in entrance of audiences that mattered—particularly Black girls—and ensuring her story helped another person.
She leaves behind a legacy rooted in voice, imaginative and prescient, and affect. And for the ladies who grew up watching her – and for these of us who received to study from her, snicker together with her, and work together with her – at present is hard.
Relaxation in energy, Ananda.
Scroll to see photos of Ananda by way of the years.
Ananda Lewis Via The Years: Remembering Her Life, Legacy, Magnificence, & Energy
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1. Ananda Lewis Ate In 1999 At The MTV Music Awards
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Ananda Lewis is serving the women on the 1999 MTV Music Awards in NYC. Get into the black, the leather-based, and the physique! Ananda has all the time been that woman.
2. Ananda Lewis Confirmed Off Her Type At The 2000 Hip Hop Awards
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Ananda Lewis labored the cameras on the 2000 Hip Hop Awards. Exhibiting off her flat abs and melanin pores and skin, she wore low rise purple and inexperienced pants and inexperienced fur.
3. Ananda Slayed In Blue Leather-based In 2000
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Ananda Lewis gave the right night time out look whereas attending an industrt occasion in 2000. She paired blue leather-based pants with a minimize off white tank.
4. Ananda Lewis Was The Woman In Pink At The 2001 BET Awards
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Ananda Lewis made historical past attending BET’s first ever awards present on June 19, 2001. The rocked a pink sequin gown for the event.
5. Ananda Lewis Rocked Fur & Denim To The 2004 Billboards
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Ananda Lewis was not enjoying on the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. The character offers one other easy slay in denim and fur. And that silver skinny belt? So ’90s.
6. Ananda Lewis Gave Black & White Sophistication In 2004
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Ananda Lewis gave grown girl vibes at a Saks Fifth Ave profit in 2004. We’re loving her black and white halter maxi gown and easy equipment.
7. Ananda Labored The Individuals’s Alternative Awards Carpet In 2005
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Ananda Lewis labored the Individuals’s Alternative carpet in a pink and gold gown that’s giving us geisha vibes. She selected to drag up her naturally curly hair into a decent up do to match her regal slay.
8. Ananda Lewis Glittered In Gold On 2005
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Ananda Lewis attended the Miramax Movies Golden Globes Awards After-Social gathering in 2005 glittering in gold. She paired an ornate gold fitted robe with a half-up half down hair type exhibiting off her beautiful pores and skin and melanin cheekbones.
9. Ananda Lewis Was Gorgeous At The PRISM Awards In 2007
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Ananda Lewis seemed gorgeous on the eleventh annual PRISM Awards in 2007. The TV star rocked a ground size white robe with a frilly neckline, black polda dots, and an empire waist. So elegant, so fairly.
10. Ananda Lewis Visited House & Household In 2019
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Ananda Lewis stepped again into the TV highlight in 2019 after a break visiting Hallmark’s “House & Household” at Common Studios Hollywood. She wore a striped shirt and denims. Ananda had a simple magnificence that was unmatched.
11. Ananda Lewis Was All Smiles At The 2023 Essence Pageant
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Ananda Lewis attended the 2023 ESSENCE Pageant Of Tradition™ wanting contemporary and fabulous. This was one of many starlet’s final official appearancesz. For the event, she paired a Michael Jackson high and printed relaxed two piece set.
