Pop singer Ciara is mourning her friend, popular music video director Diane Martel who died Thursday morning after battling breast cancer.
“Diane passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital – surrounded by friends and family – after a long battle with breast cancer,” the family said in a statement obtained by Rolling Stone.
Diane got her first big break when she directed Mariah Carey‘s music video for her hit song “Dreamlover” (1993).
She went on to direct Mariah’s music videos for “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” and others.
Besides Mariah, Diane directed music videos for Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You,” Beyoncé’s “Listen,” Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Miley Cyrus’ songs, “Malibu,” “Younger Now,” and more.
Diane frequently worked with Ciara, directing videos for her hits like “Promise,” “Love Sex Magic,” “Ride,” and her comeback music video for “Ecstasy.”
Early Friday, Ciara tweeted on X:
“You believed in me and I believed in you! You will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am forever grateful for all the magic we’ve were able to make together. I know it was all God! Heaven has just gained an Angel. I love you so much @DIANEMARTELOFF
A.k.a. Miss D! Rest In Paradise.”
You believed in me and I believed in you! You will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am forever grateful for all the magic we’ve were able to make together. I know it was all God! Heaven has just gained an Angel. I love you so much @DIANEMARTELOFF A.k.a. Miss D! Rest… pic.twitter.com/0gc5QCmRil
— Ciara (@ciara) September 19, 2025
