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The Three Music Videos That Defined EmRata's Career: From 'Blurred Lines' Controversy To Travis Scott's 'I KNOW ?'

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Emily Ratajkowski, often known by her moniker EmRata, is one of the most recognizable figures in modern pop culture, and her career trajectory is inextricably linked to a handful of high-profile music video appearances. As of late December 2025, the conversation around her most famous work remains incredibly current, not just for the visual impact but for the powerful, retrospective narrative she has since shared about the experience.

The model, actress, and author has used her platform to re-contextualize the very projects that launched her to global stardom. While many first encountered her in the highly controversial 2013 video, her latest appearance in a chart-topping hip-hop track shows a significant evolution in her public persona and artistic collaborations.

Emily Ratajkowski: A Full Biographical Profile

Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski is an American model, actress, writer, and activist whose career has spanned high fashion, major film roles, and literary success. Her journey from childhood to global icon is marked by a consistent focus on reclaiming her image and narrative.

  • Full Name: Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski
  • Born: June 7, 1991
  • Birthplace: Westminster, London, England
  • Nationality: American (Born to American parents)
  • Raised In: Encinitas, California, USA (moved at age five)
  • Parents: Kathleen Balgley (Professor and Writer) and John David Ratajkowski (Painter and Art Teacher)
  • Early Career: Signed with Ford Models as a teenager; held small acting roles, including two episodes on the Nickelodeon series iCarly (2009–2010).
  • Breakout Role: Appearance in Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" music video (2013).
  • Major Film Roles: Appeared in David Fincher's Gone Girl (2014) and We Are Your Friends (2015).
  • Literary Career: Published her debut essay collection, My Body, in 2021, which became a New York Times bestseller.
  • Activism: Known for her outspoken views on feminism, body image, and the commodification of female sexuality.

The Defining Moment: 'Blurred Lines' and The Controversial Aftermath

The music video that launched "EmRata" into the global stratosphere was undeniably Robin Thicke's 2013 hit, "Blurred Lines," featuring T.I. and Pharrell. The video, directed by Diane Martel, quickly became one of the most talked-about cultural artifacts of the decade, but for reasons that were deeply divisive.

The Video's Content and Initial Controversy

The uncensored version of the video featured Ratajkowski, alongside models Elle Evans and Jessi M’Bengue, dancing topless with the male artists, who were fully clothed. The visual juxtaposition and the song's lyrics ignited a massive public debate over sexism, misogyny, and rape culture. Critics argued that the video reinforced a harmful male gaze and objectified the women involved, essentially celebrating a "blurred" line of consent.

Despite the backlash, the video's virality was undeniable. It became a cultural phenomenon that propelled Ratajkowski from a working model to an international celebrity almost overnight, paving the way for her roles in films like Gone Girl.

The Sexual Assault Allegation and 'My Body'

Years later, the controversy took a much darker, more serious turn. In her 2021 book, My Body, Ratajkowski dedicated a chapter to her experience on the set of "Blurred Lines." She alleged that during the filming, Robin Thicke, while intoxicated, sexually assaulted her by groping her breasts without consent.

This revelation provided a chilling new context to the video's already contentious legacy. The allegation, which Thicke has not publicly addressed in detail, reframed her participation from a controversial artistic choice to a deeply personal experience of exploitation. Ratajkowski stated that the director, Diane Martel, was the one who reacted, shouting at Thicke after the incident.

Ratajkowski has been vocal about feeling trapped by the fame the video brought her, describing it as "the bane of my existence" at one point. Her decision to publish the allegation was a deliberate act of reclaiming her story and highlighting the power dynamics in the industry.

EmRata's Other High-Profile Music Video Appearances

While "Blurred Lines" is her most famous music video credit, it is not her only one. Her other appearances demonstrate her early-career hustle and her continued relevance in the modern music scene.

1. Maroon 5 - 'Love Somebody' (2012)

A year before her global explosion, Ratajkowski appeared in the music video for Maroon 5's single "Love Somebody." In this video, Ratajkowski is seen in a more stylized, artistic role, covered in body paint. This appearance was an important early step in her transition from a print model to a video and on-screen presence, showcasing her ability to embody a striking visual concept.

2. Travis Scott - 'I KNOW ?' (2023)

In a significant and much more recent collaboration, Emily Ratajkowski co-starred in the official music video for Travis Scott's track "I KNOW ?" from his highly anticipated album, *UTOPIA*. This appearance, alongside fellow model Anok Yai, marked a return to the music video format after many years focused on acting and writing.

The visual for "I KNOW ?" is a trippy, cinematic affair featuring Ratajkowski and Yai lounging poolside at a modern mansion. Her role in this video is less about launching her career and more about cementing her status as a cultural icon who can lend star power to a major artist's project. The video, released in late 2023, is the most current example of an "EmRata music video," contrasting sharply with the 2013 controversy and showing her continued influence.

Beyond the Music Video: EmRata's Evolution as a Writer and Advocate

The story of EmRata's music video career is ultimately a story of evolution. Her time in the spotlight has allowed her to transition from a figure defined by the male gaze to a prominent voice in the conversation about female autonomy.

Reclaiming the Narrative with 'My Body'

The publication of her book, *My Body*, was a pivotal moment. The essays explore her experiences with modeling, acting, the media, and the complex relationship between beauty, power, and exploitation. By detailing the alleged sexual assault on the "Blurred Lines" set, she took control of the narrative surrounding her most famous work, turning a symbol of her commodification into a testament to her strength and willingness to speak out.

Topical Authority and Cultural Entity

Emily Ratajkowski has strategically built her personal brand, Inamorata, and her literary career to ensure her lasting topical authority extends far beyond her initial music video fame. She is now recognized as a cultural commentator, a successful entrepreneur, and an author who uses her personal history to explore broader societal issues. Her music video appearances, especially the "Blurred Lines" video, serve as powerful, real-world examples that underpin her arguments about the difficulties women face in an industry driven by image and objectification. Her career is a masterclass in transforming a controversial start into a platform for meaningful dialogue.

em rata music video
em rata music video

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