Veteran Music Video Director Diane Martel Dies at 63

New York, Sept. 19, 2025 - Diane Martel, the pioneering music video director behind iconic visuals for Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke and Mariah Carey, died Thursday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital after a long battle with breast cancer.

Martel’s bold, provocative style reshaped pop and hip-hop videos over three decades, making her death a significant loss for the music and film communities.

Career and Legacy

Martel began directing in 1992 with Onyx’s “Throw Ya Gunz” and rose to prominence with Jennifer Lopez’s “Get Right,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and Robin Thicke’s controversial “Blurred Lines.” Critics praised her for combining striking imagery with daring social commentary, a hallmark of her work on Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop.”

In 2022, she was named Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker at the University of Oregon, where she mentored emerging directors. Her final video, Ciara’s “Ecstasy,” debuted earlier this year.

Family Statement

Her family noted she passed “peacefully…surrounded by friends and family” and is survived by her aunt, Gail Merrifield Papp, and her three cats.

Social Media Tributes

• “RIP Diane Martel 🕊️” - @MCNewsSource on X, reflecting widespread shock among artists and fans.
• “Diane Martel’s videos were so raw and beautiful. She humanized her subjects but made them look like STARS.” - user Coolness941 on X.

Martel’s fearless approach and dedication to her craft leave a lasting influence on music video direction and visual storytelling.

Sources: Diane Martel passed away at age 63 on September 18, 2025. Social media reactions highlighted the depth of her impact on artists and audiences alike.