Music Video Director Diane Martel Dies at 63 After Influential Career

Diane Martel, a pioneering music video director known for her work with major artists like Mariah Carey, Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake, has died at 63 after a battle with breast cancer. Martel's career began in the early 1990s in New York's hip hop scene, and she gained prominence through her provocative and visually striking videos, including Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' and Christina Aguilera's 'Genie in a Bottle.' She directed the controversial 2013 videos for Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' and Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop,' both of which sparked significant public debate and became emblematic of cultural conversations around misogyny and female empowerment in media. Martel stood by her artistic vision despite criticism, embracing provocation as a form of passion and artistic expression. She was also known for her supportive relationships with collaborators, including Ciara, who paid emotional tribute to her after her death. Martel passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York, surrounded by family and friends, leaving behind a lasting legacy in music video direction.