Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity, has died. She was 52. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed Lewis' death in a Facebook post Wednesday.

She rose to fame on “Hot Zone” and other shows before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. She said last year that her cancer had progressed to Stage 4.

Sara Sidner and Stephanie Elam both held back tears as they paid tribute to their late colleague and friend. CNN's Sara Sidner and Stephanie Elam are mourning the death of their friend Ananda Lewis. The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ,