Ananda Lewis dead at 52: MTV VJ hosted ‘TRL,’ other shows

A former MTV VJ is dead at 52 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Ananda Lewis, best known as a music video jockey and host of “Total Request Live,” has died, her sister Lakshmi Emory announced Wednesday. A cause of death was not provided, but Lewis had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.

“She’s free, and in His heavenly arms,” Lakshmi wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of Lewis. “Lord, rest her soul.”

Lewis first rose to fame when she joined MTV in 1997, hosting shows like “TRL” and “Hot Zone.” She also appeared on MTV News, the Video Music Awards (VMAs) and MTV specials like “Rock N Jock” sports competitions, spring break broadcasts, and Woodstock ‘99 in Rome, N.Y.

Lewis left MTV in 2001 to host her own syndicated daytime talk show, “The Ananda Lewis Show,” for one season. Lewis’ credits also included hosting “While You Were Out” on TLC and “America’s Top Dog” on A&E; serving as a correspondent for “The Insider”; appearing in Aaliyah’s “Miss You” music video; the reality show “Celebrity Mole: Yucatán”; and the 2001 movie “On the Line” with *NSYNC members Joey Fatone and Lance Bass.

Lewis revealed last year that her breast cancer diagnosis had progressed to Stage 4, and encouraged other women to get mammograms. She told CNN that she decided against a double mastectomy, and later said it was the wrong choice.

“Prevention is the real cure,” she told Essence magazine.

According to the New York Post, survivors include Lewis’ 14-year-old son, Langston, from a relationship with Will Smith’s younger brother, Harry Smith.

“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of beloved MTV VJ, Ananda Lewis,” MTV said in a statement. “Through her on-air hosting and interviews, Ananda helped raise a generation of music fans. Our thoughts are with her family & loved ones.”