History of Ananda Lewis in Timeline
Ananda Lewis is a multi-talented American television personality known for her work as an MTV veejay in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She later transitioned into hosting, leading her own syndicated talk show, "The Ananda Lewis Show," and serving as a correspondent for "The Insider." Beyond television, Lewis pursued a career as a carpenter and made a return to hosting in 2019 with the revival of TLC's "While You Were Out." Her diverse career path showcases her versatility and passion for various fields.
March 21, 1973: Birth of Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis was born on March 21, 1973.
1981: Ananda Lewis Wins Little Miss San Diego Contest
At eight years old, Ananda Lewis won the Little Miss San Diego Contest in 1981, showcasing her talent by choreographing her own dance routine to "Ebony and Ivory". This win led to her involvement in local theater and television.
1993: Ananda Lewis Featured in Shai's "Baby, I'm Yours" Music Video
While attending Howard University, Ananda Lewis appeared in the music video for "Baby, I'm Yours" by the R&B group Shai in 1993, playing the love interest of vocalist Carl "Groove" Martin.
1995: Ananda Lewis Graduates Cum Laude from Howard University
Ananda Lewis graduated cum laude from Howard University in 1995 with a degree in history, influenced by her family's encouragement to pursue a career in law.
1996: Ananda Lewis Interviews Hillary Clinton and Earns Recognition for "Teen Summit"
Ananda Lewis interviewed First Lady Hillary Clinton on "Teen Summit" in 1996 for an episode titled "It Takes a Village", aligning with Clinton's book of the same name. The show received a CableACE Award nomination, and Lewis earned an NAACP Image Award for her contributions.
1998: Ananda Lewis Publicly Announces Decision to Practice Abstinence
Ananda Lewis made headlines in 1998 when she publicly declared her commitment to abstaining from sexual activity for at least six months.
November 21, 1999: Ananda Lewis's Broadcasting Skills Highlighted by MTV Executive
In a New York Times article published on November 21, 1999, Bob Kusbit, MTV's senior vice president for production, praised Ananda Lewis's broadcasting abilities, emphasizing her move beyond simply reading cue cards.
2000: Ananda Lewis Named One of "People" Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"
Ananda Lewis was recognized for her beauty and global influence in 2000 when "People" magazine included her in their prestigious "50 Most Beautiful People" list.
September 10, 2001: "The Ananda Lewis Show" Premieres
"The Ananda Lewis Show", Ananda Lewis's own talk show, premiered on September 10, 2001. Positioned as a thoughtful alternative to shows like "Jerry Springer" and "Ricki Lake", it focused on issues relevant to young women.
2001: Ananda Lewis Receives NAACP Image Award for "True Life: I Am Driving While Black"
Ananda Lewis's work on the MTV special "True Life: I Am Driving While Black" earned her another NAACP Image Award in 2001, recognizing her impactful contributions to television.
2001: Ananda Lewis Departs MTV for Her Own Talk Show
In 2001, Ananda Lewis made the significant career move to leave MTV and launch her own talk show, "The Ananda Lewis Show".
2004: Ananda Lewis Joins "The Insider" and Appears on "Celebrity Mole: Yucatán"
Ananda Lewis became the chief correspondent for "The Insider", focusing on celebrity news, in 2004. That same year, she participated in the reality show "Celebrity Mole: Yucatán".
2005: Ananda Lewis Interviews Notable Figures for "The Insider"
Continuing her role on "The Insider", Ananda Lewis conducted interviews with various celebrities in 2005, including Paris Hilton, Dylan Ryder, Don Cheadle, Ryan Phillippe, and Dyan Cannon.
2011: Ananda Lewis Becomes a Mother
Ananda Lewis welcomed her first child, a son named Langston, with Harry Smith in 2011.
2019: Ananda Lewis Hosts "While You Were Out" Revival
Ananda Lewis returned to television in 2019 as the host of the revived TLC show "While You Were Out".
October 1, 2020: Ananda Lewis Publicly Reveals Battle with Breast Cancer
On October 1, 2020, Ananda Lewis shared with her Instagram followers that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer two years prior.
October 2, 2020: Ananda Lewis Advocates for Cancer Screenings Following Diagnosis
A day after publicly revealing her breast cancer battle, Ananda Lewis used her platform to advocate for early cancer screenings on October 2, 2020. She shared her personal experience and urged others to prioritize their health.