Diane Martel, the acclaimed music video director best known for helming Robin Thicke’s provocative “Blurred Lines” visual, has died at the age of 63. Her family confirmed she passed away on September 18, 2025, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York following a long battle with breast cancer.

Martel’s career spanned more than three decades and bridged genres from hip-hop to pop and rock. She began in the early 1990s, directing striking videos for rap artists including Onyx, Method Man, and Gang Starr. Her ability to capture raw energy on screen quickly drew attention, leading to collaborations with some of the world’s biggest stars. Among her most celebrated works are Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, Britney Spears’ “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman”, and videos for Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, and Franz Ferdinand.

Despite a prolific portfolio, Martel will forever be linked to “Blurred Lines”, one of the most talked-about music videos of the 2010s. Released in 2013, the clip featured Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. alongside models Emily Ratajkowski, Elle Evans, and Jessi M’Bengue. The minimalist, tongue-in-cheek setup generated both praise and backlash. While Martel later explained she intended to empower the women on screen by encouraging them to look directly at the camera and subvert traditional gender roles, the video ignited global debate about misogyny, consent, and representation in pop culture.

In later years, Martel continued working with top artists, including Ciara, for whom she directed “Ecstasy.” Her colleagues and friends have remembered her as fearless, innovative, and deeply committed to her craft.

Martel is survived by her aunt, Gail Merrifield Papp, and her three cats. Tributes from across the music industry continue to pour in, underscoring her enduring influence on the visual language of modern pop.