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Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Ananda Lewis helped define the MTV VJ at the turn of the millennium
Music is a natural subject for people talking about it to bring their whole self into the mix, and Lewis did just that during her four-year MTV run: Early on in her tenure, she praised Queen of the Blues Dinah Washington en route to introducing the video for Snoop Dogg's 'Gin and Juice.' During a 2001 tribute to the late singer Aaliyah, she took time out from the script to give her own elegy to her friend and peer. She also had journalistic chops that MTV (and, before that, BET) let her flaunt, hosting 'True Life: I Am Driving While Black' and shows that dealt with the aftermath of the Columbine High School shooting. 'Ananda is Cleopatra. You know she's a queen,' Prince told the Advertisement 'Giving them the space to talk to people who would honor and respect who they were, especially brown people at the time, was really special,' she said in 2020. Three years later, Paramount Global shut down MTV's news division, and Lewis Lewis, who was born in Los Angeles in 1973 and grew up in San Diego, had her own talk show from 2001 to 2002 and hosted the celebrity news show 'The Insider' before stepping away from the entertainment world and becoming a carpenter in the 2010s. The short-lived 2019 reboot of 'While You Were Out' brought her two career trajectories together, and in recent years she'd popped up on documentaries that covered her era of MTV. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 2010s, and during a 2024 CNN roundtable, she revealed that it had progressed to Stage IV. Lewis died on June 11 at her home in Los Angeles, where she was in hospice care. Advertisement 'MTV was like going to an amusement park and having the FastPass to every ride, and you were on the ride with your favorite people every single time,' Lewis told Check the Rhymes TV. During the channel's reign as America's chief arbiter of pop music, Lewis and other standout VJs brought millions of viewers along for each trip with knowledge and enthusiasm. Maura Johnston is a writer and professor living in Allston. She can be reached at .
Black America Web
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Hip-Hop Mourns The Loss Of MTV VJ, Ananda Lewis
Source: Paul Archuleta / Getty Ananda Lewis, the well-known former MTV VJ and talk show host, has passed away at age 52 after a long battle with breast cancer. The sad news was confirmed by her sister, and once it broke, the Hip-Hop community was frozen. Many artists and entertainers had been interviewed by Ananda over the years, and many built strong friendships with her, making her loss even more heartbreaking. The California native graduated from Howard University in 1995. She first gained attention as the host of BET's Teen Summit , where she spoke on serious issues affecting young people. Her talent and presence soon led her to MTV, where she became a household name in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She hosted popular shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone , and her smart, down-to-earth style made her stand out. In 2001, she launched The Ananda Lewis Show , a daytime talk show that ran for one season. She later worked on other TV projects, including TLC's While You Were Out . Ananda revealed her cancer diagnosis in 2020. She fought bravely and shared her journey with honesty. Her voice, impact, and spirit will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. Take a moment to see how the Hip-Hop community is honoring her legacy and sharing their heartfelt reactions to her passing. Hip-Hop Mourns The Loss Of MTV VJ, Ananda Lewis was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who was Ananda Lewis? Know about the Former MTV VJ who died due to stage 4 breast cancer at 52
Know about Ananda Lewis: Following a protracted fight with stage IV breast cancer, Ananda Lewis, the pioneering MTV VJ turned talk show host, passed away at the age of 52. Her passing has reignited discussions about the significance of screening and the dangers of delaying treatment. After receiving her diagnosis in 2020, Lewis publicly expressed her remorse about postponing mammograms because she was afraid of radiation and selecting alternative therapies. Known for her lively singing on songs like "Total Request Live" in the late 1990s, she went on to host her show, gain recognition as a social activist, and even pursue a career in carpentry. Her son and a strong legacy of charm, integrity, and fortitude that transcends entertainment are left behind by her passing, which was confirmed by her sister Lakshmi. Who was Ananda Lewis? She was an MTV VJ | Credit: X Ananda Lewis was an American television broadcaster, carpenter, former model, and social crusader who lived from March 21, 1973, to June 11, 2025 . From the late 1990s until 2001, she was an MTV veejay. She then left the network to host The Ananda Lewis Show, a syndicated television chat show. From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a correspondent for The Insider. She later pursued a career in carpentry. She was the host of TLC's 2019 While You Were Out revival. Lewis told her Instagram followers on October 1, 2020, that she has been fighting stage 3 breast cancer for the last two years. Ananda Lewis's education qualification Lewis had a strong artistic background, having spent nine years at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts studying dance, theater, music, and photography. Later, while attending Howard University, she mentored at-risk youths and got involved in youth activism through the Youth Leadership and Development Institute (YLDI). She tried out for BET's "Teen Summit," a youth-focused program that tackles important issues in the Black community because she was passionate about making a positive social impact. She interviewed prominent people, including Hillary Clinton and Kobe Bryant, while hosting the show for three seasons. In a 2022 interview with BET, she talked about her desire to try out, recalling, "The kids in my program were like, 'you always tell us life comes opportunities and it's your responsibility to step up. You're not going to now? I'm glad I went and paid attention. Also Read: Who was Tijana Radonjic? A model who died due to panic attack while Parasailing in Adriatic Sea in Budva Ananda Lewis's career Ananda Lewis, a renowned TV host and advocate, dies at 52 after battling stage 4 breast cancer | Credit: X As host of BET's Teen Summit, Lewis initially attracted national acclaim for her work, which struck a deep chord with teenage audiences and brought her respect in the business. She became one of the most recognizable faces on MTV in the mid-1990s after her growing popularity led to significant hosting duties on the network's Total Request Live and Hot Zone. She won several NAACP Image Awards while she worked at MTV. She started a syndicated daytime talk show called The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001. From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a correspondent for The Insider. In 2019, she made her most recent TV appearance on TLC's While You Were Out. Later in life, Lewis obtained a professional trade certificate in carpentry, another skill he pursued. After receiving a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, she chose to pursue alternative therapies. She freely disclosed to her admirers that the illness has advanced to Stage IV by 2024. Ananda Lewis's family Ananda was Native American, primarily of the Creek and Blackfoot tribes, and of African American heritage. "Bliss" is the Sanskrit meaning of her first name. Lewis's father was a computer animation specialist, while her mother was an account manager for Pacific Bell. Lakshmi, her sister, works as a doctor. When Ananda was two years old, Lewis's parents separated, and her mother relocated to San Diego, California, with her girls in order to be close to her mother. Her husband, Harry Smith, the younger brother of Will Smith and the CEO of Smith Global Media, is her surviving relative. Langston, the couple's only child, was born in 2011. What was Ananda Lewis's net worth? She started her show in 2001 | Credit: X Many people are interested in the financial legacy that Ananda Lewis left for her two children in the wake of her death. The website Cloudflare stated that The Ananda Lewis Show is thought to be worth approximately $8 million , despite the fact that no official data have been made public regarding her net worth. How did Ananda Lewis die? After a protracted battle with stage 4 breast cancer, prominent TV anchor Ananda Lewis, a former hostess of the Teen Summit on BET and an MTV VJ, passed away at the age of 52. Her sister Lakshmi confirmed her death in a sorrowful Facebook post, writing, "She's free, and in His heavenly arms." Rest her soul, Lord. But in 2020, Ananda revealed that she had received a breast cancer diagnosis. She later shared her experience with the world in an effort to raise awareness and stop what she believed to be her mistakes. Initially, I intended to rid my body of extra poisons. I know that my body is intelligent, yet I still feel that way. During a roundtable interview with CNN in October 2024, she remarked, "Our bodies are brilliantly made." I decided to preserve my tumor and attempt to remove it from my body in a different manner. I want to return. I must acknowledge my mistakes in this.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ananda Lewis, Host of MTV's ‘Total Request Live' and ‘Hot Zone,' Dies At 52
Ananda Lewis, one of MTV's first video jockeys and a former host of 'Total Request Live,' 'Hot Zone,' and 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' died on Wednesday of breast cancer. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, reported her death. TMZ reported that Lewis died in her home in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. More from Variety 'RuPaul's Drag Race: All-Stars' Is Back: Here's How to Watch Season 10 Online 'The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras' Sets Paramount+ Debut (EXCLUSIVE) 'Helsinki Crimes' Finnish Commissioner MTV Ramps Up Overseas Co-Productions, Plots TV Version of Jo Spain Novel 'The Last to Disappear' (EXCLUSIVE) Lewis revealed in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer on her Instagram account, where she spoke about not getting regular mammograms due to her fear of radiation. In a roundtable discussion with CNN in 2024, Lewis confirmed that she did not have a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She revealed that the tumor had metastasized, and that the cancer had progressed to stage IV. After being hired by MTV in 1997 as one of the new VJs, Lewis became the host of shows like 'Total Request Live' and 'Hot Zone,' where she interviewed rising and established talents for the network. In 2001, she became the host of her own talk show, 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' which ran from 2001 to 2002. She later joined Entertainment Tonight's spinoff 'The Insider' as a correspondent from 2004 to 2005. After taking a break from the industry to pursue carpentry, Lewis returned as the host for the 2019 revival of TLC's 'While You Were Out.' Born in Los Angeles in 1973, Lewis moved to San Diego shortly after her parents divorced where she lived with her sister, mother, and grandmother. After graduating from Howard University in 1995, Lewis began her career as the host of BET's Teen Summit, a talk show that was hosted by teenagers. After working with BET, Lewis was noticed by MTV and was hired in August of 1997. Shortly after moving to New York, Lewis became one of the main VJs for MTV, hosting shows such as 'Total Request Live,' a daily top ten music video countdown show. Lewis became one of the interviewers for 'Hot Zone,' a series focused on highlighting music videos and exclusive interviews with musicians. Lewis left MTV in 2001 to pursue her own talk show, 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' which aired on television from 2001 to 2002. In 2004, Lewis joined the cast and crew of 'The Insider,' a nightly program that served as a spinoff to 'Entertainment Tonight,' where she was a host. After leaving 'The Insider,' Lewis became a carpenter and a contractor. In 2019, she became the host of 'While You Were Out,' a TLC reality series. She is survived by her son, Langston. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Chicago Tribune
17-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Helicopter Easter egg drop planned at Aurora church
Treats will be raining from the sky at Faith Lutheran Church in Aurora on Saturday, as the church at 3000 Liberty St. celebrates the day before Easter by dropping candy-stuffed plastic eggs from a helicopter as part of an egg hunt for children. The community event is open to children up to 10 years old, who to need bring their own basket for the egg hunt, church officials said. More than 15,000 plastic eggs will be available during the hunt, with some 3,000 pouring down from the helicopter. Doors for the event open at 10 a.m., with the helicopter drop around 11 a.m. Prizes will be given from some special golden eggs dropped in the field near the church. Officials recommend that everyone who wants to take part in the event be at the church by 10:45 a.m. Volunteers will be on hand to steer the children into groups by age to collect the eggs. Afterward, a photographer will be on hand or participants can take their own photos when they see the Easter Bunny. Free tickets for the event are available at Eventbrite, but there is a cost for parking. There are shuttle buses from an off-site location to the church and back, officials said. The Rev. Rob Douglas of Faith Lutheran Church said the Saturday event is a party for the community. He said Easter services are planned at the church at 6:30, 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. For more information, call Douglas at 630-248-5515 or email pastor@ NAMI DuPage celebrating 40th anniversary with May gala NAMI DuPage, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host its Shine a Light Gala to celebrate the nonprofit's 40th anniversary of helping people with mental illness. The black-tie optional event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville. Proceeds will support the organization's free and low-cost services, including mental health education for middle and high school students, support groups and career education. Funds raised also will help expand programs and continue providing support, education and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness, organizers said. The gala will include dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and cash raffles. Tickets are $200. A pre-dinner gathering at 4:30 p.m. will feature Meg Kissinger, author of 'While You Were Out' and the recipient of the organization's Lightkeeper Award. Tickets are $75. This year's Community Partnership Award will be presented to Greg DiDomenico of Community Memorial Foundation. For more information, go to
