Ananda Lewis Shares How She Wants to be Remembered in Resurfaced Clip

The news broke on June 11th that MTV and BET host Ananda Lewis had sadly passed away. Naturally, tributes poured in from loved ones as well as various celebrities she interviewed during her illustrious career. Now, a clip has surfaced of Ananda being asked how she wants the world to remember her. 

The clip, shared by The Jasmine Brand, shows Ananda in an interview bravely talking about her stage breast cancer diagnosis. When asked how she wants to be remembered, Ananda responded, “Maybe that I loved hard.” She then thought for a while.

Ananda continued, “And lived loud. And didn’t back away from problems. And loved this life.” She then said, “And was okay with letting it go, too. It’s a temporary situation, so do your best. That’s all we’re all doing is our best.”

Ananda Was an Advocate for Women’s Health

Ananda Lewis first shared in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on social media. This came after a self-exam as well as visits to medical professionals. She announced her diagnosis on Instagram at the time, writing, “This is tough for me, but if just ONE woman decides to get her mammogram after watching this, what I’m going through will be worth it.”

She continued in the caption, “PRACTICE EARLY DETECTION. Share this with a woman you love. These 6 minutes could help save her life. I love you guys.” Notably, she said in the video that she’d been fighting the disease for “almost two years.” She also shared that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past. 

Ananda Will Also Be Remembered For Her Stellar Career

Ananda Lewis was born in 1973 and obtained her first hosting gig in 1993 with BET’s “Teen Summit.” After that, she moved to MTV in 1997, where she hosted multiple shows. They include “Total Request Live” and “Hot Zone.” She also hosted the short-lived “Ananda Lewis Show” from 2001 to 2002. Ananda also has a few acting credits, including “Nora’s Hair Salon II.”

Towards the end of her life, Ananda became interested in sharing her experience with breast cancer in order to help others. Notably, she wrote an essay for Essence, expressing the importance of paying attention to one’s body. Additionally, she served as a correspondent for shows like CBS’s “The Insider.” The former host also became active on social media in more recent years.