Who directed Madonna’s MTV-era music video for “Like a Prayer”?

Mary Lambert directed Madonna’s music video for “Like a Prayer.”

Released in 1989, the video combined religious imagery, racial injustice, romance, and a burning-cross scene. Its provocative visual language generated intense public debate and became one of MTV’s most discussed music-video controversies. Lambert had already worked with Madonna on several earlier videos, including “Borderline,” “Like a Virgin,” and “La Isla Bonita.”

The video’s controversy was not limited to MTV. Pepsi, which had used Madonna in a major advertising campaign, withdrew the commercial after the backlash, although Madonna retained the endorsement payment. MTV continued airing the video, contributing to its cultural visibility.

The song and video are often discussed together, but they are separate works: Madonna co-wrote and recorded the song, while Lambert directed the visual production. The video’s narrative also differs from a straightforward performance clip because it uses a symbolic story alongside concert-style footage.