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Hannah Lux Davis
Featured LAFS AlumLA Film School · Class of 2006

Hannah Lux Davis

Music Video & Film Director

From on-set makeup artist to one of the most sought-after music video directors in Hollywood — the visionary behind Ariana Grande's most iconic visuals.

Bellevue, Washington Born May 17, 1986
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100+

Music Videos

620M+

YouTube Views

5

MTV VMA Noms

2019

Spotlight Academy

The Origin

Hannah Lux Davis was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington — a world away from the sun-soaked lots of Hollywood. In high school, she was diagnosed with exophoria, a condition that hindered her ability to read and write. But what it took away in traditional academics, it gave back in a different kind of vision: a relentless drive to create imagery that words alone couldn't capture.

At just 18 years old, Hannah left Seattle for Los Angeles. She first enrolled at the New York Film Academy, then transferred to The Los Angeles Film School a year later — a decision that would set the course for her entire career. For her final projects at LAFS, she made music videos. Something clicked. She had found her medium.

After graduating in 2006, Hannah faced the reality every young filmmaker knows: doors don't open just because you have a degree. So she got creative. She attended the Cinema Makeup School to learn makeup artistry — not because she wanted to be a makeup artist, but because it was her ticket onto the sets of music videos, commercials, and feature films. She worked as a makeup artist by day and directed her own music videos at night, funding the budgets out of her own pocket.

It was a grind that lasted years. But every video sharpened her eye, refined her signature aesthetic — bright, punchy, saturated colors with tastefully dressed sets — and slowly built a reputation in the competitive world of music video production.

"I just wanted to make things that were beautiful and that I was proud of. I didn't go to film school to be a music video director — I went to learn how to tell stories."

— Hannah Lux Davis, LAFS Spotlight Academy

The Journey

🎓

2006

Graduated from The LA Film School

Completed her degree at LAFS, having made music videos for her final projects. She knew this was the industry she wanted to conquer.

💄

2006–2010

Makeup Artist by Day, Director by Night

Attended Cinema Makeup School to get onto professional sets. Worked as a makeup artist on music videos and commercials while self-funding her own directorial projects after hours.

🎬

2010

First Paid Directing Gig

Directed Twin Atlantic's 'Human After All' — her first paid music video. The years of self-funded work were starting to pay off.

🔥

2013

The Big Break — 'Love Me'

Successfully pitched Republic Records to direct the music video for 'Love Me' by Lil Wayne featuring Drake and Future. This moment ignited a chain reaction of introductions, productions, and successes over the next decade.

⭐

2014–2018

Ariana Grande's Secret Weapon

Directed a string of iconic Ariana Grande videos including 'thank u, next' and '7 rings,' amassing hundreds of millions of views. Became the go-to director for the biggest female artists in pop music.

📽️

2017

Feature Documentary Debut

Directed 'Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated,' a critically acclaimed YouTube Original documentary that expanded her work beyond music videos into long-form storytelling.

🏆

2018

Woman Architect of Sound

Honored by The Recording Academy as a 'Woman Architect of Sound in Music' — recognition for her impact on the intersection of music and visual storytelling.

🌟

2019

LAFS Spotlight Academy & 5 VMA Nominations

Inducted into the 2019 LAFS Spotlight Academy. Swept five nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. Featured in The Wall Street Journal Magazine as 'Ariana Grande's Secret Weapon.'

🎬

2021

Dancing with the Devil

Served as co-executive producer on 'Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil,' continuing her evolution from music video director to multi-format filmmaker.

Achievements

🏆

5× MTV VMA Nominee (2019)

Swept five nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards in a single year for her work with Ariana Grande and other artists.

🏅

LAFS Spotlight Academy (2019)

Inducted into the Los Angeles Film School Spotlight Academy, honored alongside the school's most distinguished alumni.

👑

Recording Academy Honoree (2018)

Honored by The Recording Academy as a 'Woman Architect of Sound in Music' for her contributions to visual music culture.

📰

WSJ Magazine Feature

Profiled in The Wall Street Journal Magazine as 'Ariana Grande's Secret Weapon' — a defining feature on her rise in the industry.

🎥

620M+ YouTube Views

Amassed over 620 million views across her music video catalog, making her one of the most-watched music video directors of her generation.

📽️

Documentary Filmmaker

Directed and produced feature documentaries including 'Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated' (2017) and co-executive produced 'Dancing with the Devil' (2021).

Notable Credits

Ariana Grande — thank u, nextAriana Grande — 7 ringsAriana Grande — Side to SideAriana Grande — BreathinKaty Perry — Swish SwishNicki Minaj — Beez in the TrapDemi Lovato — ConfidentDemi Lovato: Simply ComplicatedDemi Lovato: Dancing with the DevilShakiraMiley CyrusChristina AguileraCiara — I'm OutFifth Harmony — Miss Movin' OnLil Wayne — Love Me (ft. Drake & Future)Machine Gun KellyDavid GuettaAvril LavigneHilary Duff

Key Collaborators

AG

Ariana Grande

Pop Superstar

thank u, next · 7 rings · Side to Side

DL

Demi Lovato

Singer & Actress

Confident · Simply Complicated

NM

Nicki Minaj

Rap Icon

Beez in the Trap · Anaconda

KP

Katy Perry

Pop Superstar

Swish Swish

LW

Lil Wayne

Rap Legend

Love Me (ft. Drake & Future)

FH

Fifth Harmony

Girl Group

Miss Movin' On

C

Ciara

Singer & Dancer

I'm Out (ft. Nicki Minaj)

S

Shakira

Global Icon

Music video collaboration

Gallery

Hannah Lux Davis — LAFS Spotlight Academy

Hannah Lux Davis — LAFS Spotlight Academy

From LAFS student to Hollywood director

From LAFS student to Hollywood director

The Legacy

Hannah Lux Davis proved that the path to the top isn't always a straight line. From a makeup artist sneaking onto sets to the director behind some of the most-watched music videos in history — her journey from The Los Angeles Film School to the summit of the music and film industry is a testament to persistence, self-belief, and the power of a signature vision. She remains one of LAFS's most celebrated alumni and an inspiration to every student who walks through those doors.

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