MTV star Ananda Lewis dies aged 52

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018

In October 2024, she revealed to her fans that the breast cancer she'd been dealing with since 2018 had progressed to Stage 4, having originally discovered a pea-sized lump in her breast while showering.

The 52-year-old is survived by her teenage son Langston, whom she shared with the brother of Will Smith, Harry.

"My beautiful, gifted, multitalented, funny, intelligent, witty and brave cousin TV personality Ananda Lewis gained her wings today," wrote Felece Antoinette on Facebook.

"No more pain. Please keep her sister Lakshmi LS Emory and the entire Lewis family lifted in prayer. RIH Bravebird, I'll see you on the other side."

Lakshmi herself went on to write: "She's free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul."

Lewis worked at MTV from the late 1990's into the early 2000's, before hosting her very own talkshow that debuted the day before 9/11.

In 2004, Lewis was taken on as the chief correspondent on celebrity subjects for The Insider, interviewing the likes of Don Cheadle and Paris Hilton.

When she announced her breast cancer diagnosis via Instagram, the TV personality admitted to ignoring medical advice.

"For a really long time, I have refused mammograms, and that was a mistake," she said.

"I watched my mom get mammograms for 30 years almost, and at the end of that, she had breast cancer, and I said, 'Huh. Radiation exposure for years... breast cancer. Yeah, I'm going to pass. Thanks anyway.'

"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," she continued. "Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save their life."