Ananda Lewis, the former television host and MTV VJ, has passed away at the age of 52, as confirmed by her sister, Lakshmi Emory, in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Lewis had been courageously battling Stage 4 breast cancer.
In her heartfelt message, Emory stated, “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul.”
Lewis first disclosed her breast cancer diagnosis in October 2020, sharing the news through an Instagram video with the aim of encouraging women to prioritize mammograms. At that time, she was confronting Stage 3 cancer. “I have been fighting to get cancer out of my body for almost two years,” she had shared. “For a really long time, I have refused mammograms, and that was a mistake.”
She explained her hesitation around regular mammograms was rooted in a fear of radiation exposure. Current medical advice recommends that individuals at average risk for breast cancer begin screening at age 40, or younger for those with increased risk, as mammograms are considered safe and emit significantly less radiation than a standard X-ray.
“I need you to get your mammograms,” Lewis urged, also mentioning the significant lifestyle and dietary adjustments she had made. She expressed her desire to remain present for her 9-year-old child, saying, “I still have a lot of work to do… I wish I could go back.”
By October 2024, her cancer had progressed to Stage 4, leading her to discuss her treatment choices with ABC News’ Kelley L. Carter. Notably, she chose not to undergo a double mastectomy and subsequent chemotherapy, saying, “I couldn’t handle doing such a drastic surgery in my life at that time. Cancer happens on top of your life, and for me, it was just too overwhelming in the beginning.”
Instead, Lewis pursued homeopathic treatments, dietary changes, and fractionated chemotherapy, which had garnered criticism from some quarters for not aligning with conventional medical recommendations.
“None of those people know me and they don’t know the details of my situation,” Lewis responded to the criticism. “That has no bearing on my life. It’s a waste of my time. And I don’t have time to waste.”
She reflected on her outlook on life during her interview, emphasizing gratitude with the quote, “Life owes me nothing. Every day I get, I’m grateful for. What I do is focus on what I can fix. And what I can control.”
Born on March 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, Lewis launched her career on BET hosting “Teen Summit,” a show aimed at addressing issues pertinent to Black teenagers that began in 1993. She later hosted her own talk show, “The Ananda Lewis Show,” in 2001, and garnered widespread recognition as an MTV VJ, appearing in programs like “Total Request Live” and “Hot Zone.”
From 2004 to 2017, she served as a correspondent for “The Insider.”
When asked in her 2024 interview what legacy she hoped to leave behind, Lewis responded, “That I loved hard and lived loud and didn’t back away from problems and loved this life. And was OK with letting it go too.”
“It’s a temporary situation, so do your best,” she concluded. “That’s all we’re all doing is our best.”