Celebrity tributes poured in on June 11, 2025, as word spread of the passing of former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis at age 52, including from HGTV star Egypt Sherrod.
Lewis was a fixture on MTV in the 90s, later hosted her own talk show, and appeared on CBS’ “The Insider,” according to CNN. In 2020, she first shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and, in the fall of 2024, revealed it had metastasized to stage four.
“Dear GOD… This one is crushing,” Sherrod captioned a touching video of her and Lewis laughing together, and shared that they had “known each other for over 30 years.” Sherrod, who was a major market radio personality before her HGTV fame, went on to share a profound story about why Lewis once told her she’d “quit the rat race” of the broadcasting business they both were in.
Egypt Sherrod Says She Reconnected With Ananda Lewis in 2023 But Had ‘No Idea She Was Battling Cancer’
Sherrod, who now stars on HGTV’s “Married to Real Estate” with her husband Mike Jackson, made the throwback video of her and Lewis all the more emotional by adding the song “Missing You” by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan over it.
“Let me just tell y’all—Ananda and I have known each other for over 30 years,” she wrote in the caption. “Not as close friends, but as sisters in the business. We shared a mutual respect for each other’s work ethic, struggle, and victories.”
Sherrod then shared a profound story about an exchange they once had, recalling, “I remember years ago, she told me, ‘I quit Egypt.’ Confused, I asked, ‘Quit what?’ She replied, ‘I quit the rat race and the hustle mentality. I’m going back to the West Coast, and I’m buying a pickup truck so I can just BE.'”
“At the time, I thought she was insane,” Sherrod admitted. “In my eyes, she was IT—she had made it, was at the top of her game, and I admired her deeply.”
Sherrod then shared that the two didn’t see each other for over a decade until a conference in May of 2023. The real estate maven noted that Lewis “hadn’t aged a bit and looked genuinely happy—happy at her core.”
“We giggled, we took photos,” Sherrod wrote. “Then I leaned in and whispered in her ear…’You were so smart. I get it now.’ I had no idea that she was battling cancer. Somehow, her peaceful spirit and radiant smile concealed it all. But I celebrate her—for seeking peace and finding it. For stepping off the treadmill and choosing soul satisfaction over social validation.”
Sherrod concluded her tribute by writing, “Rest, my sister. You were a hero. A quiet champion to so many of us out here still seeking balance. I QUIT.”
Thousands of Friends & Fans Responded to Egypt Sherrod’s Tribute to Ananda Lewis
Nancy Ostertag/Getty ImagesIn less than 12 hours of sharing her tribute, Sherrod’s post had received over 28,000 likes and more than 1,100 comments from friends and fans commiserating with her over Lewis’ passing and thanking her for her moving tribute.
Fellow HGTV star Ty Pennington wrote, “So saddened to hear this she was such a light 😞💔❤️”
Atlanta talk show host Portia Bruner commented, “A tough loss, indeed. Ananda‘s light was warm and radiant. She will surely be missed, but her impact and that beautiful smile will last always.”
Fellow interior designer and friend Kelly Collier-Clark wrote, “Literally tears reading this. Ugh @egyptsherrod my friend!!! Life is so fleeting and fragile.🙏🏽 Love you girl.❤️ Rest well Ananda.🕊️”
One of Lewis’ sisters, Lakshmi Emory, announced her passing in a Facebook post on June 11. “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms,” Emory captioned a black-and-white portrait of Lewis, adding a dozen broken heart emojis. “Lord, rest her soul 🙏🏽.”
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HGTV’s Egypt Sherrod Calls Death of Ananda Lewis ‘Crushing’ in Moving Tribute: ‘I Quit’