Music Video Director Diane Martel Dead at 63 of Breast Cancer

Diane Martel, the prolific music video director, has died at 63.

Her family confirmed her death following a breast cancer diagnosis in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 18. “Diane passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital – surrounded by friends and family – after a long battle with breast cancer,” her family said, via Rolling Stone.

Throughout her career, she worked with artists, directing iconic music videos that defined generations and became pop culture milestones.

Ciara paid tribute to Martel in an Instagram post on Friday, Sept. 19. “You believed in me and I believed in you! You will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am forever grateful for all the magic we’ve were able to make together,” she captioned a series of clips from her music videos.

“I know it was all God! Heaven has just gained an Angel. I love you so much @DianeMartel_ A.k.a. Miss D! Rest In Paradise ❤️.”

Most recently, Ciara, 39, worked with Martel on the “Ecstasy” music video, which was released in April.

Vanessa Bryant also honored the music video director, sharing a post from September 2021 on her Instagram Stories with a heart emoji and a broken heart emoji.

“Dinner with my Nani and @dianemartel_ or as my husband used to call her… D-Z Marteezy 😘❤️,” Bryant, 43, wrote. “It was so good to see you D.!!! You’re so talented. All your fav videos were created by “Bucky Chrome”. 🎥🥰”

Martel, born on May 7, 1962, in New York, dropped out of high school and became involved in the performing arts, working as a dancer and choreographer. She began directing with the 1992 PBS documentary Reckin’ Shop: Live From Brooklyn. It led to her first music video directing credit, “Throw Ya Gunz” for rap group Onyz.

Two years later, she directed Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” music video.

Her credits include Beyoncé‘s “Listen,” Justin Timberlake‘s “Like I Love You,” The Killers‘ “Read My Mind,” Christina Aguilera‘s “Genie in a Bottle,” Alicia Keys‘ “Brand New Me,” The White Stripes‘s “Conquest”, Pink‘s “Just Give Me a Reason,” Addison Rae‘s “Obsessed,” and Adam Lambert‘s “Whataya Want from Me.” She also worked closely with Miley Cyrus on several projects.

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In 2013, she worked on two controversial music videos which she might be best known for: Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop,” along with Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams.

With “We Can’t Stop,” Martel told Grantland in 2013 that their goal was a “trippy, f—ed-up video that was like a giant selfie.”

“She and I loved the idea of her being over the top. Her ‘modeling’ is crazy, like what the f— is she doing in this video? Her teddy bear dancing, she’s kissing her doll, she’s riding a horrible bike with her butt out. I don’t see another female pop star getting into a girl fight in her video. This video is f—– up and fun. It’s like a long Vine.”

Martel was also the creative director for Cyrus’ 2013 MTV VMAs performance.

In response to the provocative clips, Martel told Rolling Stone, “My s— is on point right now.”

“I do have to admit I like being provocative. That’s punk, that’s rock & roll, that’s hip-hop. It’s passionate. We’re not doing pharmaceutical ads.” 

She received one Best Direction nomination at the MTV VMAs for her work with Francis Lawrence on Jennifer Lopez’s “Get Right” music video in 2005.

Per Martel’s family, the director is “survived by her Aunt, Gail Merrifield Papp (wife of Joseph Papp, founder of The Public Theatre), her three beloved, loyal cats (Poki, PopPop, PomPom) and many loving lifetime friends.”