Latest news with #NAACPImageAward
Arab Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Ananda Lewis, who publicly shared breast cancer journey, dies at 52
LOS ANGELES, June 14, (AP): Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis' death in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lewis had been battling breast cancer. "She's free, and in His heavenly arms,' Emory wrote. "Lord, rest her soul.' Lewis, a San Diego native, made a name for herself as a host on BET's "Teen Summit,' which tackled issues facing Black youth and featured community leaders, entertainers, and politicians. She landed big interviews with Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur, and Louis Farrakhan and then-first lady Hillary Clinton, which earned her an NAACP Image Award. After a few seasons, Lewis took her talents over to MTV in 1997. She was a host and veejay on "MTV Live.' "Hot Zone' and "Total Request Live," a daily top 10 video countdown show. Lewis told The Associated Press that she felt some backlash after moving from BET to MTV. "I wouldn't say in a strong way because I think most people who were in my fan base at 'Teen Summit' understand that growth is necessary,' she said. "One of the main things we dealt with on a consistent basis, like the underlying theme of all the shows is you've got to get out there and live your life. The bottom line is this is about you, so how do you want to grow and whom do you want to develop into? My justification is that I say to kids: 'be your best and take advantage of every opportunity,' so I couldn't sit in a place of not taking advantage of an opportunity." In 2001, Lewis told the AP that she wasn't trying to reinvent daytime talk with her new syndicated series, "The Ananda Lewis Show.' "There's only so much different you can do in daytime, which is what I'm learning. There's a certain way, I guess, people are used to doing things and that way's not going to change for a while,' she said. "I think there's a formula, and some cases have proven that formula works. So the objective isn't to reinvent the wheel but to make it spin a little more smoothly.' Lewis' show lasted only one season. But a few years later, she became a correspondent for "The Insider,' a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight." Lewis was open about her cancer journey since she publicly shared her diagnosis in 2020. At that time, the disease was initially stage 3 before it advanced to stage 4 last year. She had been living with breast cancer for six years. Lewis said doctors recommended a double mastectomy, but she opted for alternative methods. She eventually realized that was the wrong measure, becoming an advocate for being up-to-date with mammogram checkups. "I need you to share this with the women in your life who may be as stubborn as I was about mammograms, and I need you to tell them that they have to do it,' Lewis said in her announcement. "Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save their life.'
Winnipeg Free Press
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ananda Lewis, former MTV and BET host who publicly shared breast cancer journey, dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis' death in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lewis had been battling breast cancer. 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms,' Emory wrote. 'Lord, rest her soul.' Lewis, a San Diego native, made a name for herself as a host on BET's 'Teen Summit,' which tackled issues facing Black youth and featured community leaders, entertainers and politicians. She landed big interviews with Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur and Louis Farrakhan and then-first lady Hillary Clinton, which earned her an NAACP Image Award. After a few seasons, Lewis took her talents over to MTV in 1997. She was a host and veejay on 'MTV Live.' 'Hot Zone' and 'Total Request Live,' a daily top 10 video countdown show. Lewis told The Associated Press that she felt some backlash after moving from BET to MTV. 'I wouldn't say in a strong way because I think most people who were in my fan base at 'Teen Summit' understand that growth is necessary,' she said. 'One of the main things we dealt with on a consistent basis, like the underlying theme of all the shows is you've got to get out there and live your life. The bottom line is this is about you, so how do you want to grow and whom do you want to develop into? My justification is that I say to kids: 'be your best and take advantage of every opportunity,' so I couldn't sit in a place of not taking advantage of an opportunity.' In 2001, Lewis told the AP that she wasn't trying to reinvent daytime talk with her new syndicated series, 'The Ananda Lewis Show.' 'There's only so much different you can do in daytime, which is what I'm learning. There's a certain way, I guess, people are used to doing things and that way's not going to change for a while,' she said. 'I think there's a formula, and some cases have proven that formula works. So the objective isn't to reinvent the wheel but to make it spin a little more smoothly.' Lewis' show lasted only one season. But a few years later, she became a correspondent for 'The Insider,' a spinoff of 'Entertainment Tonight.' Lewis was open about her cancer journey since she publicly shared her diagnosis in 2020. At that time, the disease was initially stage 3 before it advanced to stage 4 last year. She had been living with breast cancer for six years. Lewis said doctors recommended a double mastectomy, but she opted for alternative methods. She eventually realized that was the wrong measure, becoming an advocate for being up-to-date with mammogram checkups. 'I need you to share this with the women in your life who may be as stubborn as I was about mammograms, and I need you to tell them that they have to do it,' Lewis said in her announcement. 'Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save their life.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ananda Lewis, former MTV and BET host who publicly shared breast cancer journey, dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis' death in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lewis had been battling breast cancer. 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms,' Emory wrote. 'Lord, rest her soul.' Lewis, a San Diego native, made a name for herself as a host on BET's 'Teen Summit,' which tackled issues facing Black youth and featured community leaders, entertainers and politicians. She landed big interviews with Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur and Louis Farrakhan and then-first lady Hillary Clinton, which earned her an NAACP Image Award. After a few seasons, Lewis took her talents over to MTV in 1997. She was a host and veejay on 'MTV Live.' 'Hot Zone' and 'Total Request Live," a daily top 10 video countdown show. Lewis told The Associated Press that she felt some backlash after moving from BET to MTV. 'I wouldn't say in a strong way because I think most people who were in my fan base at 'Teen Summit' understand that growth is necessary,' she said. 'One of the main things we dealt with on a consistent basis, like the underlying theme of all the shows is you've got to get out there and live your life. The bottom line is this is about you, so how do you want to grow and whom do you want to develop into? My justification is that I say to kids: 'be your best and take advantage of every opportunity,' so I couldn't sit in a place of not taking advantage of an opportunity." In 2001, Lewis told the AP that she wasn't trying to reinvent daytime talk with her new syndicated series, 'The Ananda Lewis Show.' 'There's only so much different you can do in daytime, which is what I'm learning. There's a certain way, I guess, people are used to doing things and that way's not going to change for a while,' she said. 'I think there's a formula, and some cases have proven that formula works. So the objective isn't to reinvent the wheel but to make it spin a little more smoothly.' Lewis' show lasted only one season. But a few years later, she became a correspondent for 'The Insider,' a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight." Lewis was open about her cancer journey since she publicly shared her diagnosis in 2020. At that time, the disease was initially stage 3 before it advanced to stage 4 last year. She had been living with breast cancer for six years. Lewis said doctors recommended a double mastectomy, but she opted for alternative methods. She eventually realized that was the wrong measure, becoming an advocate for being up-to-date with mammogram checkups. 'I need you to share this with the women in your life who may be as stubborn as I was about mammograms, and I need you to tell them that they have to do it,' Lewis said in her announcement. 'Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save their life.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Revolt Launches ‘The People's Brief' News and Commentary Series Hosted by Lynae Vanee (EXCLUSIVE)
Revolt, the youth culture multimedia platform, is set to launch 'The People's Brief,' an unfiltered news and commentary series hosted by Lynae Vanee. Vanee is a three-time NAACP Image Award nominee best known for her 'Parkin Lot Pimpin'' digital series, where she offered compelling, authoritative and fearless takes on race, history and power dynamics. The show also featured her trademark intro, 'I'ma keep it Black, but I'ma keep it brief.' More from Variety Offscript Worldwide Absorbs Revolt, 440 Artists, Rebel House and Six Zeros to Form Integrated Media and Commerce Platform Revolt's Detavio Samuels, Black Star Network Leader Roland Martin and BET Founder Robert Johnson on the State of Black-Owned Media Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sells Majority Stake in Revolt as Employees Become Largest Shareholder Group of the Media Company With 'The People's Brief' on Revolt, Vanee will continue to keep it Black, but she teases, 'I think we're gonna need more time.' The new weekly series premieres on May 20, and is designed to 'shake up traditional news formats,' according to a press release announcing the project. On 'The People's Brief,' Vanee will break down top headlines from her distinct perspective and lived experience, providing coverage that 'blends incisive analysis, satirical commentary and real-world perspective to engage a new generation of viewers.' The series is the latest offering from Revolt, which services content across digital, linear and live media channels and is the flagship media brand of Offscript Worldwide, a next-generation media and creator ecosystem (which absorbed the company earlier this year). The partnership with Vanee is indicative of Revolt's 'creator-first philosophy' — a mission to lead with substance in a crowded content landscape, as well as to invest in emerging talent. 'Revolt remains the trusted home for the culture's leading voices and innovators,' said Deon Graham, the brand's chief content officer. 'With 'The People's Brief,' we're proud to give Lynae the stage she deserves while continuing to push the culture forward through authentic, transformative storytelling.' Vanee is a multihyphenate talent (a performer, poet, influencer, writer and actor) from Atlanta, Ga., and a rising force in media and culture. A graduate of Spelman College and Boston University with a master's degree in African American studies, Vanee has built a dedicated audience online, also hosting the longer-form video series 'The Let Out' and a podcast called 'Femme Time,' both of which center the voices of people of color and continue conversations about culture, mental health and identity. She is represented by ColorCreative. 'I'm beyond excited to collaborate with Revolt to bring something fresh and necessary to the conversation,' said Vanee. 'As a Black woman and creator, working with a platform that doesn't just feature us but truly believes in us — that's rare, and it means everything. We're taking the topics people are already talking about, from politics to identity and power, and presenting them in a way that feels real, relevant and grounded in community.' Watch the trailer for 'The People's Brief' above. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Revolt Launches ‘The People's Brief' News and Commentary Series Hosted by Lynae Vanee (EXCLUSIVE)
Revolt, the youth culture multimedia platform, is set to launch 'The People's Brief,' an unfiltered news and commentary series hosted by Lynae Vanee. Vanee is a three-time NAACP Image Award nominee best known for her 'Parkin Lot Pimpin'' digital series, where she offered compelling, authoritative and fearless takes on race, history and power dynamics. The show also featured her trademark intro, 'I'ma keep it Black, but I'ma keep it brief.' More from Variety Offscript Worldwide Absorbs Revolt, 440 Artists, Rebel House and Six Zeros to Form Integrated Media and Commerce Platform Revolt's Detavio Samuels, Black Star Network Leader Roland Martin and BET Founder Robert Johnson on the State of Black-Owned Media Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sells Majority Stake in Revolt as Employees Become Largest Shareholder Group of the Media Company With 'The People's Brief' on Revolt, Vanee will continue to keep it Black, but she teases, 'I think we're gonna need more time.' The new weekly series premieres on May 20, and is designed to 'shake up traditional news formats,' according to a press release announcing the project. On 'The People's Brief,' Vanee will break down top headlines from her distinct perspective and lived experience, providing coverage that 'blends incisive analysis, satirical commentary and real-world perspective to engage a new generation of viewers.' The series is the latest offering from Revolt, which services content across digital, linear and live media channels and is the flagship media brand of Offscript Worldwide, a next-generation media and creator ecosystem (which absorbed the company earlier this year). The partnership with Vanee is indicative of Revolt's 'creator-first philosophy' — a mission to lead with substance in a crowded content landscape, as well as to invest in emerging talent. 'Revolt remains the trusted home for the culture's leading voices and innovators,' said Deon Graham, the brand's chief content officer. 'With 'The People's Brief,' we're proud to give Lynae the stage she deserves while continuing to push the culture forward through authentic, transformative storytelling.' Vanee is a multihyphenate talent (a performer, poet, influencer, writer and actor) from Atlanta, Ga., and a rising force in media and culture. A graduate of Spelman College and Boston University with a master's degree in African American studies, Vanee has built a dedicated audience online, also hosting the longer-form video series 'The Let Out' and a podcast called 'Femme Time,' both of which center the voices of people of color and continue conversations about culture, mental health and identity. She is represented by ColorCreative. 'I'm beyond excited to collaborate with Revolt to bring something fresh and necessary to the conversation,' said Vanee. 'As a Black woman and creator, working with a platform that doesn't just feature us but truly believes in us — that's rare, and it means everything. We're taking the topics people are already talking about, from politics to identity and power, and presenting them in a way that feels real, relevant and grounded in community.' Watch the trailer for 'The People's Brief' above. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
