The memory of Ananda Lewis was just celebrated at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
Busta Rhymes dedicated his special Rock the Bells Visionary Award to Ananda, who was a beloved MTV VJ from 1997 to 2001.
Ananda was a host on MTV shows like TRL (Total Request Live) and Hot Zone. She was even dubbed the “hip-hop generation’s reigning It Girl” by The New York Times back in 1999. After success on the network, she left MTV in 2001 to launch her own talk show.
Sadly, Ananda died at the age of 52 back in June 2025.
Keep reading to find out more…
Ananda passed away after a nearly five-year battle with stage III breast cancer. Because of her fear of radiation, she had been skipping her regular mammograms and she also decided to not get a double mastectomy after her diagnosis, despite medical advice to do so. By October 2024, he cancer progressed to stage IV.
She said at the time, “My plan at first was to get out excessive toxins in my body. I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made. I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way. . . . I wish I could go back. It’s important for me to admit where I went wrong with this.”
Ananda‘s sister announced the news of her death on June 11, 2025: “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔. Lord, rest her soul🙏🏽.”
Ananda was survived by her teenage son Langston, whose father is Will Smith‘s brother Harry.
We’ve sadly lost many celebrities in 2025 already.
Source: justjared.com