Diane Martel dead: Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines video director dies

Music video director Diane Martel has died aged 63. She was the creator of Robin Thicke's controversial Blurred Lines music video and also worked with stars including Miley Cyrus.

The director died surrounded by her family following a breast cancer diagnosis. Diane was best known for her work with Robin for the controversial Blurred Lines video, which spent 12 weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It was also a hit in the UK, as it sat at the top of the singles charts for five weeks and became the best-selling single at the time in 2013. However, the lyrics sparked controversy as it faced claims of referring to non-consensual sex.

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Diane addressed the claims following the release of her music video as she told Grantland she wanted to "deal with" any misogynic lyrics. "I don't think the video is sexist," she said.

She explained: "I directed the girls to look into the camera. This is very intentional and they do it most of the time; they are in the power position. I don’t think the video is sexist.

"The lyrics are ridiculous; the guys are silly as fuck. That said, I respect women who are watching out for negative images in pop culture and who find the nudity offensive, but I find [the video] meta and playful.”

The music video featured models Emily Ratajkowski and Elle Evans, who appeared in skin coloured underwear and topless alongside Thicke. Diane had also worked with Miley on the video for We Can't Stop.

She said they wanted to make something "trippy" and resemble a "giant selfie". "Miley Cyrus is an astonishing young lady — effervescent, creative, excited, and so loving," she said.

"I’ve never seen a pop artist this normal. She is sophisticated and hilarious." Diane also addressed the uproar around both Robin and Miley's videos as she 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.”

Diane had worked with huge names in the world of music, including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Pink, Alecia Keys and Franz Ferdinand.

She directed Mariah Carey's 1994 track All I Want for Christmas Is You. The director also worked on 2003 Luther Vandross hit Dance With My Father Again and Avril Lavigne's Nobody's Home.

Her last credit as a director was for the 2023 Alicia Keys track Lifeline. Diane's family told Rolling Stone: “Diane passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital – surrounded by friends and family – after a long battle with breast cancer.

“She 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.”

Diane's long list of work includes Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle and What a Girl Wants, Khia’s My Neck My Back (Lick It), Justin Timberlake’s Like I Love You, Alicia Keys’ If I Aint’ Got You, Britney Spears’ 3 and Addison Rae’s Obsessed.

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