Overview

• Lewis was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2020 and saw it advance to stage IV after she opted for alternative therapies over a double mastectomy and later expressed regret over that decision.
• She rose to fame as an MTV VJ in the late 1990s, hosting Total Request Live and Hot Zone before departing in 2001 to launch her own syndicated talk show.
• Throughout her illness, Lewis openly shared her journey and urged women to get regular mammograms and practice early detection.
• She died on June 11 at her Los Angeles home while under hospice care, the same day her son, Langston, graduated from middle school.
• She is survived by her son Langston and husband Harry Smith, and a memorial service is planned in the coming weeks.