Destiny’s Child icon pays tribute to MTV trailblazer Ananda Lewis after tragic death aged 52
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my heartfelt sentiments upon learning about the passing of Ananda Lewis at the tender age of 52. The trailblazing MTV personality fought valiantly against breast cancer, and her contributions to the entertainment industry will forever be etched in our hearts. Kelly Rowland paid a touching tribute to honor her memory, reminding us all of the impact she had on so many lives.
This week, a former MTV Video Jockey passed away after a long, seven-year fight against cancer. She posted a poignant farewell message before her sister publicly announced her demise.
In the late 1990s, the 44-year-old vocalist gained popularity as she performed alongside Beyoncé and Michelle Williams within their band. Frequently, they intersected with Lewis during their appearances on MTV.
In honor of Lewis, the legendary member of Destiny’s Child, she fondly reminisced about the incredible memories they created during their time together.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reminisce about the time when the iconic MTV personality and I found ourselves at a Sade concert. We joyously sang along to her melodies, our voices echoing off each other until they were raw with exuberance.
Next to an image of the deceased celebrity, she penned: ‘I enjoyed interviews, but what I adored most was when we sang together at a Sade concert, with all our heart and soul! Our voices were worn out by the end, yet we didn’t mind.’
She enthusiastically spoke about the deceased journalist, expressing her love and offering prayers for the family and acquaintances of Lewis.
She embodied a unique and amazing spirit, a soul that was simply extraordinary. She was not only cool but also strikingly beautiful, both inside and out – a woman who truly flew above the rest. I find myself at a loss for words, yet I want to extend my deepest love and prayers to her loved ones during this difficult time.
Previously, Lewis had chatted with Destiny’s Child around twenty years back, and since then, their paths have intersected several times within the bustling world of Hollywood.
On Wednesday, July 11, Lewis passed away after her seven-year battle with cancer.
In one of her last Instagram posts, she not only cautioned her followers about prioritizing their well-being but also disclosed some past regrets that she had experienced.
The former MTV VJ’s death was announced by her sister Lakshmi Emory via a Facebook post.
She posted a monochrome picture of Lewis accompanied by this message: ‘She has found freedom, now cradled in His divine embrace. May You grant her peace, oh Lord.’
On her Instagram in February, Lewis shared with her audience that she harbored some regrets concerning her diagnosis, expressing a desire to have approached certain situations differently.
Lewis had previously said she had refused a double mastectomy.
As your humble servant and attentive observer, I inquire: Is the physical vessel you currently occupy in a state of health, generally speaking, with no major illnesses looming? If that’s the case, then, my dear friend, consider it as if you’ve just struck it rich in a lottery – a priceless prize indeed!
I don’t often share my daily experiences with the challenges I face battling cancer.
‘Part of it is because I refuse to give it anymore energy than it’s already taking from my life.
Regardless of the state I’m currently in, it’s crucial that you stay away from this situation.
I often reflect on the past 10 years, thinking about what I could have done differently to lower my risk of cancer. Today, I want to share those insights.”
This version keeps the original message but makes it more conversational and engaging for the reader. It implies that the speaker is sharing personal experiences or lessons learned, which can help create a connection with the audience.
Later on, she shared an account about her cancer fight that she had previously published in Essence magazine, providing more insightful details.
Lewis noted: “Avoidably, less than 5-10% of cancers are related to genetics.
90% of it seems to be related to environmental factors or personal habits, some of which you have the power to modify.
‘It’s best to prevent illness rather than treat it later, as maintaining good health is often simpler than restoring it after it’s been lost.’
In the late ’90s, Ananda was a regular host on MTV, where they presented popular shows such as Total Request Live, Hot Zone, and Spring Break.
In the year 2001, Lewis secured a daytime television chat show of her own, titled The Ananda Lewis Show, but it only lasted for a single season.
Throughout her career, she managed to secure two NAACP Image Awards, while also being recognized as “The New York Times’s” designation of the ‘dominant It Girl’ within the hip-hop generation.
On Wednesday, June 11, at around 11:35 am in Los Angeles, Lakshmi confirmed to TMZ that her sister had passed away. At the moment of her passing, she was under hospice care.
Lakshmi announced that a memorial event is scheduled for several weeks from now, and numerous celebrities who were previously interviewed by Ananda have shown their intention to honor her during this upcoming gathering.
Back in October 2020, Ananda stunned her followers by revealing on social media that she had secretly been fighting stage III breast cancer.
She disclosed that she’s been battling cancer from her body for nearly two years, as revealed in the six-minute video she uploaded on Instagram.
She also admitted that she’d avoided getting regular mammograms due to fear of radiation exposure.
She shared, “I opted out of having mammograms… it turned out to be a regretful decision. For nearly three decades, I observed my mother undergo mammograms, and in the end, she developed breast cancer.
Four years later, Ananda revealed that her initial breast cancer diagnosis had progressed into an advanced stage IV condition.
She spoke about deciding not to undergo a double mastectomy in an October 2024 interview with CNN.
Lewis shared that her initial intention was to leave the tumor within her body and attempt to eliminate it through alternative methods.
However, once Ananda’s tumor had ultimately spread (metastasized), she recognized that perhaps she ‘ought to have’ proceeded with the potentially lifesaving operation.
Days after her CNN interview, Lewis clarified her comments about refusing a double mastectomy.
She expressed that her quality of life held great significance for her; she knew there were certain aspects she couldn’t compromise on, understanding herself well. She wanted to find a reason to stay, so she had to approach things in a manner that suited her.
Lewis recently posted on Instagram on March 7, honoring the late and great R&B artist Roberta Flack, who passed away on February 24 at the age of 88.
On March 7, Lewis shared a touching tribute to the late R&B icon Roberta Flack, who sadly passed away on February 24 at the age of 88.
In her own words, she expressed: ‘May you find peace [heart emoji] Thank you for illuminating the world with your radiant talent like Roberta Flack, creating a musical heritage that will eternally bring joy to us all.’
Born on March 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, Lewis spent her formative years in San Diego, California. This change was due to her parents’ divorce when she was only two. Consequently, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, growing up alongside her sister Lakshmi, in the same city.
Before stepping into the realm of professional life, I graced the halls of an artistic high school, honing my creative skills. Later, I proudly earned my degree from the prestigious Howard University, nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., in the year 1995.
Initially, Lewis gained recognition on television as the host of Teen Summit, a youth talk show based in Washington D.C. Notably, she conducted an interview with Hillary Clinton, who was the First Lady at that time.
In no time at all, Ananda gained widespread popularity on MTV and chatted with numerous A-list celebrities from the late ’90s and early 2000s, such as Britney Spears and Beyoncé.
2001 marked a significant milestone in her career when she decided to part ways with MTV and began hosting her personal daytime talk show.
The Ananda Lewis Show debuted in 2001, however, it had a brief run and ended after just one season.
From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a reporter for The Insider. Later, Lewis switched careers and took up carpentry, also hosting the 2019 comeback of While You Were Out on TLC that same year.
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2025-06-13 20:04