Diane Martel, Visionary Music Video Director, Dies at 63
The music world is mourning the loss of Diane Martel, a groundbreaking and fearless director whose work helped define the look and feel of pop culture for more than three decades. She passed away in New York at the age of 63, following a long battle with breast cancer. Surrounded by family and close friends in her final moments, her passing has been felt deeply across the entertainment industry.
Martel wasn’t just a music video director—she was a cultural force. Known for pushing boundaries, she crafted visuals that were as provocative as they were unforgettable. In 2013 alone, she shook the world with two controversial and era-defining videos: Miley Cyrus’s We Can’t Stop and Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines . Those projects ignited debates, sparked outrage, and cemented her reputation as an artist unafraid to challenge norms. When asked about her provocative style, she once said, “That’s punk, that’s rock & roll, that’s hip-hop. We’re not doing pharmaceutical ads.”
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Her career began humbly in New York City’s downtown art scene. A high school dropout, she immersed herself in performance and street art before breaking through in the early 1990s. Her first music video was Throw Ya Gunz for Onyx in 1992, and from there she became a trusted collaborator for some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Method Man, LL Cool J, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Her bold style caught the attention of pop royalty, and she went on to direct memorable videos for Mariah Carey such as Dreamlover and All I Want for Christmas Is You .
As her career grew, so did her roster of iconic collaborations. From Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle to Britney Spears’ 3 , Justin Timberlake’s Like I Love You , Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You , and even the Killers’ Read My Mind , Martel left her mark on nearly every corner of pop music. Artists often praised her energy and relentless creativity—Pharrell once said she was like a 17-year-old girl who never grew up, constantly evolving with the times.
Her work wasn’t without controversy. Blurred Lines in particular sparked heated conversations about consent and representation. Martel defended her artistic choices, explaining that her intent was to put women in positions of power on screen. Still, years later, she openly condemned Robin Thicke’s behavior on set, standing firmly with model Emily Ratajkowski after she revealed she had been harassed during the shoot.
Beyond music videos, Martel also worked as a choreographer, filmmaker, and teacher. In 2022, she served as the Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker at the University of Oregon, inspiring a new generation of creators. Her final video, Ciara’s Ecstasy , was released earlier this year, closing out a remarkable career.
Diane Martel is survived by her aunt, Gail Merrifield Papp, her three beloved cats—Poki, PopPop, and PomPom—and countless friends and collaborators who cherished her. Vanessa Bryant, a longtime friend, shared a heartfelt tribute recalling joyful moments with Martel, even bringing back a memory of her late husband Kobe Bryant’s affectionate nickname for the director: “D-Z Marteezy.”
Though Martel never collected the awards her artistry deserved, her vision shaped the culture of pop music and left a legacy of bold, unapologetic creativity. Her voice may be gone, but her imagery will continue to resonate for decades to come.
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