Broadcast personality ANANDA LEWIS serves as a Los Angeles-based correspondent on THE INSIDER, Paramount Domestic Television's nightly, access, half-hour newsmagazine, which premiered last season as the highest-rated debut of any newsmagazine in syndication since 1996, and continues to rank second only to ET in the genre. Based on the popular ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT segment of the same name, THE INSIDER reports on the world of celebrity from a unique "insider" perspective, using first-person interviews, special "inside" access, "behind-closed-door" reports, and "inside information" from knowledgeable, informed sources and contacts.

Ms. Lewis began her broadcast career hosting "Teen Summit" on BET, where she covered issues from teen pregnancy to date rape. In 1996, her work earned her a 1996 Cable Ace nomination and NAACP Image Award for her interview with Hillary Rodham-Clinton.

From 1997 to 2000, Ms. Lewis was a tremendous presence on MTV, where she hosted the hugely popular "Total Request Live," as well as other MTV specials such as the "MTV Video Music Awards," "Wanna Be a VJ Too," and "Hot Zone." In 2000, Ms. Lewis was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People." The following year, she returned to her roots at BET to host the cable channel's "1st Annual BET Awards."

During the 2001-2002 season, Ms. Lewis hosted her own syndicated talk show titled "The Ananda Lewis Show," which confronted myriad issues facing women 18-34, ranging from breast cancer and body image, to relationships and domestic violence.

Prior to joining THE INSIDER, Ms. Lewis served as co-host of A&E's "America's Top Dog," and appeared as one of the contestants on ABC's "Celebrity Mole: Yucatan." She has also appeared on the pilots, "Method & Red" (FOX) and "High School Reunion" (The WB).

A youth activist since childhood, Ms. Lewis began volunteering at Head Start at the age of 13 while still a student at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

Later, at Howard University, she was a member of the program "Youth at Risk," helping to re-structure the lives of teenagers in crisis. During the summers of 1994 and 1995, Ms. Lewis also worked for the "Youth Leadership and Development Institute" as a trainer in leadership skills, parenting, nutrition, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

A native of San Diego, Ms. Lewis attended Howard University in Washington D.C. and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

In addition to her duties as correspondent, Lewis co-hosts a Los Angeles morning radio show, "The John Salley Block Party," on 100.3 The Beat KKBT-FM.