Diane Martel

Diane Martel (May 7, 1962 – September 18, 2025) was an American music video director and choreographer. As a music video director, she worked with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Sting and Jennifer Lopez. One of her most well-known videos was for "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell.

Early life Martel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 7, 1962. Her uncle was theatre producer and director Joseph Papp.

Martel began directing music videos in the early 1990s, beginning with "Throw Ya Gunz" by Onyx. Martel had also directed the 2013 video for Thicke's song "Blurred Lines". Both the song and the video were accused of misogyny. Martel defended the video, saying she intended it to be satirical: "[The women in the video] are actually ridiculing the men. It's hysterical".

Death Martel died of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, on September 18, 2025, at the age of 63. She never married and had no children. 1993: Life with Mikey – feature film directed by James Lapine

Documentary director 1990: House of Tres – short documentary on voguing in the New York ballroom scene 1992: Reckin' Shop: Live From Brooklyn – PBS documentary about hip-hop dancers in Brooklyn

Music video director

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Awards Martel was nominated for the following MTV Video of the Year awards: 2000 for "What a girl wants" by Christina Aguilera 2013 for "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I.