Jump to content

Diane Martel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diane Martel
Born(1962-05-07)May 7, 1962
New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 18, 2025(2025-09-18) (aged 63)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesBucky Chrome
Diamond Martel
Occupations
  • Film director
  • choreographer
Years active1989–2025
RelativesJoseph Papp (uncle)

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.[1] One of her most well-known videos was for "Blurred Lines" (2013) by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Martel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 7, 1962.[3] Her uncle was theatre producer and director Joseph Papp.[3]

Career

[edit]

Martel began her career as a street artist after dropping out of high school, and soon became a choreographer.[3] Her first film-based projects in the early 1990s were dance-focused documentaries, including 1992's Wreckin' Shop: Live from Brooklyn,[3] funded by the National Endowment for the Arts aired on the Public Broadcasting Service.[4]

Martel began directing music videos in the early 1990s, beginning with "Throw Ya Gunz" by Onyx.[3] Martel was creative director of Miley Cyrus's MTV Video Music Awards performance with Robin Thicke, the 2013 video for Cyrus's song "We Can't Stop", and her subsequent Bangerz Tour.[5] 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".[3] Martel's career spanned more than thirty years, concluding with the video for "Ecstasy" by Ciara, released in April 2025.[3]

In 2022, Martel was the Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker at the University of Oregon.[6]

Death

[edit]

Martel died of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, on September 18, 2025, at the age of 63.[7]

Credits

[edit]

Choreographer

[edit]

Documentary director

[edit]
  • 1990: House of Tres – short documentary on voguing in the New York ballroom scene[9]
  • 1992: Reckin' Shop: Live From Brooklyn – PBS documentary about hip-hop dancers in Brooklyn[10]

Music video director

[edit]

1990s

[edit]
Year Video Artist Ref.
1992 Throw Ya Gunz Onyx
1993 Crewz Pop Da Youngsta's
Dreamlover Mariah Carey
Chief Rocka Lords of the Underground
1994 You're Always on My Mind SWV [11]
Happiness Billy Lawrence [12]
Bring the Pain Method Man [13]
What I'm After Lords of the Underground [14]
Mass Appeal Gang Starr
Mad Props Da Youngsta's [15]
The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World Keith Murray
All I Want for Christmas Is You Mariah Carey
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) Mariah Carey
Anytime You Need a Friend (unreleased) Mariah Carey [16]
1995 Can't Wait Redman [17]
Get Lifted Keith Murray [18]
Live Niguz Onyx
Brooklyn Zoo Ol' Dirty Bastard [19]
I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige [20]
How High Method Man & Redman [21]
The Riddler Method Man
1996 Funkorama Redman [22]
It's Alright Dave Hollister
World So Cruel Flesh-n-Bone featuring Ms. Chaz Monique & Reverend Run
1997 Head over Heels Allure featuring Nas [23]
Closer/Driver's Seat Capone-N-Noreaga featuring Smoke of Complexions [24]
Just Wanna Please U (Remix) Mona Lisa featuring The Lox
4, 3, 2, 1 LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, Canibus, and DMX
1998 The Worst Onyx featuring Wu-Tang Clan [25]
The Roof Mariah Carey
Breakdown Mariah Carey featuring Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
My All (So So Def Remix) Mariah Carey
Whatcha Gonna Do? Jayo Felony featuring DMX and Method Man [26]
Whenever You Call Mariah Carey featuring Brian McKnight
Money, Power & Respect The Lox featuring DMX and Lil' Kim
Angel of Mine Monica
N.O.R.E. N.O.R.E.
Eyes Better Not Wander Nicole Wray
1999 Heartbreaker (Remix) Mariah Carey
Genie in a Bottle Christina Aguilera [27]
Watch Out Now/Turn It Out The Beatnuts [28]
Cre-A-Tine Cool Breeze [29]
Another Love Song Insane Clown Posse
What a Girl Wants Christina Aguilera [30]
Incredible Keith Murray featuring LL Cool J
Paper Krayzie Bone
G'd Up Tha Eastsidaz featuring Snoop Dogg

2000s

[edit]
Year Video Artist Ref.
2000 Case of the Ex Mýa
Send It On D'Angelo
If You Don't Wanna Love Me Tamar
Keep It Thoro Prodigy
Focus Erick Sermon featuring DJ Quik & Xzibit
Front 2 Back Xzibit
2001 Who's That Girl? Eve [31]
Young, Fresh n' New Kelis [32]
Lapdance N.E.R.D.
After the Rain Has Fallen Sting
2002 My Neck, My Back (Lick It) Khia
Grindin' Clipse (as Bucky Chrome)
Like I Love You Justin Timberlake [33]
Just a Friend 2002 Mario
From tha Chuuuch to da Palace Snoop Dogg [34]
Star 702 featuring Clipse [35]
Provider N.E.R.D. (as Bucky Chrome) [36]
My Goddess The Exies [37]
2003 Rest in Pieces Saliva [38]
Stuck Stacie Orrico [39]
Dance with My Father Luther Vandross [27]
2004 Invisible Clay Aiken [40]
If I Ain't Got You Alicia Keys [41]
What's Happenin' Method Man featuring Busta Rhymes [42]
Welcome to My Truth Anastacia
I Could Be the One Stacie Orrico
Nobody's Home Avril Lavigne [43]
Truth Is Fantasia Barrino [44]
Bridging the Gap Nas [45]
Shake Your Coconuts Junior Senior
2005 Hold You Down Jennifer Lopez featuring Fat Joe [46]
Get Right (Remix) Jennifer Lopez featuring Fabolous
Fearless The Bravery [47]
Don't Let It Go to Your Head Fefe Dobson [48]
So High John Legend [49]
I Don't Care Ricky Martin featuring Fat Joe and Amerie [50]
Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired) Vivian Green
Touch Omarion [51]
Do You Want To Franz Ferdinand [52]
U Already Know 112
L.O.V.E. Ashlee Simpson [53]
2006 Doing Too Much Paula DeAnda featuring Baby Bash
Ride a White Horse Goldfrapp
In My Mind Heather Headley
I'm Not Missing You Stacie Orrico
Listen Beyoncé
Tu Amor RBD [54]
Promise Ciara [55]
2007 Read My Mind The Killers
For Reasons Unknown The Killers
Men's Needs The Cribs
An End Has a Start Editors
Conquest The White Stripes [56]
Like You'll Never See Me Again Alicia Keys [57]
Like a Boy Ciara
2008 The Boss Rick Ross
Who's That Girl Robyn
Google Me Teyana Taylor
Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom) N.E.R.D. [58]
Addiction Ryan Leslie featuring Cassie and Fabolous
Eat You Up (American version) BoA (the music video was later scrapped)
Whatcha Think About That The Pussycat Dolls featuring Missy Elliott
Best of Me Daniel Powter
2009 Mad Ne-Yo
If This Isn't Love Jennifer Hudson
Love Sex Magic Ciara featuring Justin Timberlake [59]
Outta Here Esmée Denters
Show Me What I'm Looking For Carolina Liar
Want Natalie Imbruglia
Boys and Girls Pixie Lott
3 Britney Spears [60]
Sleza glamura Irina Saltykova

2010s

[edit]
Year Video Artist Ref.
2010 Whataya Want from Me Adam Lambert [61]
Missing Flyleaf
Ride Ciara featuring Ludacris [62]
Kiss & Cry Iconiq
Light Ahead Iconiq
Tokyo Lady Iconiq
Right Thru Me Nicki Minaj [63]
2011 No One Gonna Love You Jennifer Hudson
Best Thing I Never Had Beyoncé
You Can't Be Friends with Everyone Make Out
25/8 Mary J. Blige
Mr. Wrong Mary J. Blige
Until It's Gone Monica
2012 Lazy Love Ne-Yo
Brand New Me Alicia Keys [64]
2013 Just Give Me a Reason Pink featuring Nate Ruess [65]
Leggo B. Smyth featuring 2 Chainz
Blurred Lines Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell [66]
Lolita Leah LaBelle [67]
We Can't Stop Miley Cyrus [68]
Give It 2 U Robin Thicke featuring 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar [69]
Evil Eye Franz Ferdinand [70]
2014 Pills n Potions Nicki Minaj [71]
2015 Ba$$in Yelle [72]
Love Me The 1975 [73]
BB Talk Miley Cyrus [74]
2016 After the Afterparty Charli XCX featuring Lil Yachty [75]
2017 Old School Urban Cone
Malibu Miley Cyrus [76]
A L I E N S Coldplay
Younger Now Miley Cyrus [77]
2018 Feel the Love Go Franz Ferdinand
Give Yourself a Try The 1975 [78]
Dose Ciara [79]
Close to Me Ellie Goulding, Diplo & Swae Lee

2020s

[edit]
Year Video Artist Ref.
2020 My Love Jack Gilinsky featuring Don Toliver [80]
2021 Obsessed Addison Rae [81]
Billy Goodbye Franz Ferdinand (co-directed with Alex Kapranos & Ben Cole)
Make Some Money Fabolous & Dave East featuring Snoop Dogg [82]
2022 Grace Marcus Mumford [83]
Ojala Maluma, the Rudeboyz and Adam Levine [84]
2023 Lifeline Alicia Keys
2025 Ecstasy Ciara

Awards

[edit]

Martel was nominated for the following MTV Video of the Year awards:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Eric Ducker (June 26, 2013). "Q&A: Veteran Music Video Director Diane Martel on Her Controversial Videos for Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus". grantland.com. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Amanda Dobbins (June 26, 2013). "'Blurred Lines' Director: 'I Don't Think the Video Is Sexist'". vulture.com. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Taylor, Derrick Bryson (September 20, 2025). "Diane Martel, Inventive Director of Music Videos, Dies at 63". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  4. ^ "Get the skinny on making music videos during filmmaker's visit". uoregon.edu. April 21, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Creative director of Miley Cyrus' MTV performance defends routine". irishexaminer.com. August 28, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "2022 The Art of Music Video". uoregon.edu. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  7. ^ Blistein, Jon (September 18, 2025). "Diane Martel, Trailblazing Music Video Director Of 'We Can't Stop,' 'Blurred Lines,' Dead At 63". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  8. ^ "Diane Martel". Flaunt. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Mitoma, Judith; Zimmer, Elizabeth; Stieber, Dale Ann u. a. (2002): Envisioning dance on film and video. New York: Routledge.
  10. ^ "TV Review: Alive TV: Reckin' Shop: Live From Brooklyn". Entertainment Weekly. July 17, 1992. Archived from the original on December 18, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  11. ^ Billboard, p. 41, at Google Books
  12. ^ Billboard, p. 41, at Google Books
  13. ^ Billboard, p. 83, at Google Books
  14. ^ Billboard, p. 59, at Google Books
  15. ^ Billboard, p. 42, at Google Books
  16. ^ "Mariah Carey's LOST Music Video From 1994". www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtXPiqI2cLorKaPrfpKc4g. Entertainment Tonight. March 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  17. ^ Billboard, p. 47, at Google Books
  18. ^ Billboard, p. 48, at Google Books
  19. ^ Billboard, p. 42, at Google Books
  20. ^ Billboard, p. 62, at Google Books
  21. ^ Billboard, p. 56, at Google Books
  22. ^ Billboard, p. 82, at Google Books
  23. ^ Billboard, p. 72, at Google Books
  24. ^ Billboard, p. 77, at Google Books
  25. ^ Billboard, p. 133, at Google Books
  26. ^ Billboard, p. 85, at Google Books
  27. ^ a b Moss, Corey (July 21, 2003). "Beyonce, Ruben Studdard To Appear In Luther Vandross Video". MTV. Retrieved September 28, 2023.[dead link]
  28. ^ Billboard, p. 93, at Google Books
  29. ^ Billboard, p. 92, at Google Books
  30. ^ Tortorici, Frank (December 17, 1999). "Christina Aguilera". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Billboard, p. 35, at Google Books
  32. ^ vanHorn, Teri (June 7, 2001). "Kelis In Wanderland, But Still In Your Face". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  33. ^ Billboard, p. 73, at Google Books
  34. ^ "Snoop Says, 'It Is Cool To Say No To Drugs'". MTV. October 4, 2002. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  35. ^ Oh, Minya (October 18, 2002). "702 Are Wishing On A Star With Neptunes, Clipse". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  36. ^ Moss, Corey (October 30, 2002). "N.E.R.D. Dropping New Single, Planning New Album". MTV. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "The Exies "My Goddess"". HIP Video Promo. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  38. ^ DAngelo, Joe (March 28, 2003). "Saliva Show Their Stinky Selves And Say, 'Kiss And Aerosmith, Dude!'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  39. ^ Moss, Corey (April 23, 2003). "Stacie Orrico Won't Be 'Stuck' With Christian Tag". MTV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  40. ^ Billboard, p. 30, at Google Books
  41. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 5, 2004). "Alicia Keys Ready To Join Childhood Mic Buddy On Tour; Nabs Method Man For Video". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  42. ^ Moss, Corey (April 14, 2004). "Missy, P. Diddy, Snoop, Busta Join Method Man On New LP". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  43. ^ DAngelo, Joe (July 29, 2004). "Avril Tries Her Hand At Acting In 'Nobody's Home' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  44. ^ Moss, Corey (November 22, 2004). "Missy's Got Fantasia's Ear, But An Ex-Lover Has Caught Her Eye". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  45. ^ Billboard, p. 42, at Google Books
  46. ^ "NEW RELEASE: Jennifer Lopez "Hold You Down"". VideoStatic. March 30, 2005. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  47. ^ Montgomery, James (April 20, 2005). "Killers Beef, Hipster Backlash Can't Bring The Bravery Down". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  48. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Fefe Dobson, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan & More". MTV. July 26, 2005. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  49. ^ Moss, Corey (July 26, 2005). "John Legend Fantasizes While Couples Embrace 'So High'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  50. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Usher, Rihanna, JoJo, Lil' Kim, My Chemical Romance, Mya, Neil Young & More". MTV. August 11, 2005. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  51. ^ "NEW RELEASE: Omarion "Touch"". VideoStatic. August 4, 2005. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  52. ^ "NEW RELEASE: Franz Ferdinand "Do You Want To"". VideoStatic. September 15, 2005. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  53. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Ashlee Simpson, The Inc., Juelz Santana, Beyonce, Yellowcard, Seether & More". MTV. December 7, 2005. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  54. ^ "NEW RELEASE: RBD "Tu Amor"". VideoStatic. November 1, 2006. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  55. ^ Moss, Corey (October 6, 2006). "50 Cent Gives Ciara The 'Flavor' She's Looking For". MTV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  56. ^ "NEW RELEASE: The White Stripes "Conquest"". VideoStatic. November 30, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  57. ^ "NEW RELEASE: Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"". VideoStatic. November 20, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  58. ^ "New Video: N.E.R.D., 'Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In the Line for the Bathroom)'". MTV. May 29, 2008. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  59. ^ "WATCH IT: Ciara f/ Justin Timberlake "Love Sex Magic"". VideoStatic. March 24, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  60. ^ Anitai, Tamar (October 30, 2009). "Video Premiere: Britney Spears, '3'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  61. ^ Anitai, Tamar (January 15, 2010). "Video Premiere: Adam Lambert, 'Whataya Want From Me'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  62. ^ Billboard, p. 31, at Google Books
  63. ^ Montgomery, James (October 4, 2010). "Nicki Minaj's 'Right Thru Me' Video: Go Behind The Scenes!". MTV. Retrieved September 28, 2023.[dead link]
  64. ^ "WATCH IT: Alicia Keys "Brand New Me" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. December 18, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  65. ^ "P!nk f/ Nate Ruess "Just Give Me a Reason" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. February 9, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  66. ^ "Robin Thicke "Blurred Lines" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. March 20, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  67. ^ Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (May 8, 2013). "New Video: Leah LaBelle, 'Lolita'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  68. ^ "Miley Cyrus "We Can't Stop" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. June 19, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  69. ^ "Robin Thicke f/ 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar"Give It To" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. August 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  70. ^ "Franz Ferdinand "Evil Eye" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. September 9, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  71. ^ "Nicki Minaj f/ The Game "Pills N Potions" (Diane Martel, Geoffrey Lillemon, dir.)". VideoStatic. June 10, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  72. ^ "Yelle "Ba$$in" (Diane Martel & Geoffrey Lillemon, dir.)". VideoStatic. May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  73. ^ "THE 1975 "Love Me" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. October 29, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  74. ^ "Miley Cyrus "BB Talk" (Miley Cyrus & Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. December 12, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  75. ^ "Charli XCX f/ Lil Yachty "After The Afterparty" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. October 31, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  76. ^ "Miley Cyrus "Malibu" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. May 11, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  77. ^ "Miley Cyrus "Younger Now" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. August 18, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  78. ^ "THE 1975 "Give Yourself A Try" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. June 4, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  79. ^ "Ciara "Dose" (Ciara, Diane Martel, Jamaica Craft, dir.)". VideoStatic. October 29, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  80. ^ "Jack Gilinsky f/ Don Toliver "My Love" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  81. ^ "Addison Rae "Obsessed" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. March 21, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  82. ^ "SNOOP DOGG X DIANE MARTEL". Geoffrey Lillemon. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  83. ^ "Marcus Mumford "Grace" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. August 4, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  84. ^ "The Rudeboyz, Maluma, Adam Levine "Ojalá" (Diane Martel, dir.)". VideoStatic. October 31, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  85. ^ "MTV Music Awards". Asbury Park Press. New Jersey, USA. September 3, 2000. p. 86.
  86. ^ "Kendrick Lamar, Miguel Among Nominees for the 2013 Soul Train Awards". www.myk104.com. September 17, 2013. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diane_Martel&oldid=1313746621"