Celebrity
Grammy Winning Singer Irene Cara Dies at 63
Irene Cara, the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy award-winning singer-actress, starred in and sang the title track from the hit film “Fame” and then belted out the era-defining hit “Flashdance… What a Feeling” from 1983′s “Flashdance,” has died. She was 63 years old.
Judith A. Moose, her publicist, announced her death on social media, writing that the cause of death was “currently unknown.” On Saturday, Moose confirmed the death to an Associated Press reporter. Cara died at her Florida home. The precise date of her death was not revealed.
“Irene’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve,” Moose wrote. “She was a wonderfully gifted soul whose music and films will live forever.”
Irene Cara had three Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits during her career, including “Breakdance,” “Out Here On My Own,” “Fame,” and “Flashdance… What A Feeling,” which spent six weeks at No. 1. She was responsible for some of the most upbeat, high-energy pop anthems of the early 1980s.
On Saturday, tributes poured in, including from Deborah Cox, who called Cara an inspiration, and Holly Robinson Peete, who recalled seeing Cara perform: “The insane combination of talent and beauty was overwhelming to me.” This breaks my heart so deeply.”
She rose to prominence as one of the young actors who played performing arts high school students in Alan Parker’s “Fame,” alongside Debbie Allen, Paul McCrane, and Anne Meara. Cara portrayed Coco Hernandez, an aspiring dancer who faces various hardships, including a creepy nude photo shoot.
“How bright our spirits shoot out into space depends on how much we contributed to this world’s earthly brilliance.” And I intend to make a significant contribution!” she says in the film.
Cara sang the chorus to the soaring title song, “Remember my name/I’m going to live forever/I’m going to learn how to fly/I feel it coming together/People will see me and cry,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song. She also contributed to the songs “Out Here on My Own,” “Hot Lunch Jam,” and “I Sing the Body Electric.”
Allen took to Twitter on Saturday to express his grief, posting photos of them together and describing Cara as a “gifted and beautiful genius.” Her talent and music will live on in perpetuity! “I’ll never forget her name!”
Three years later, she and the “Flashdance” songwriting team — music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Keith Forsey and Cara — were accepting the Academy Award for best original song for “Flashdance… What a Feeling.”
Jennifer Beals plays a steel-town girl who dances in a bar at night and aspires to attend a prestigious dance conservatory in the film. It featured the hit song “Maniac,” in which Beals’ character leaps, spins, and stomps her feet, and the slow-burning theme song.
“There aren’t enough words to express my love and gratitude,” Irene Cara said in her acceptance speech.
“Last but not least, a very special gentleman who, I believe, began it all for me many years ago.” I thank Alan Parker, wherever he may be tonight.”
Cara began her Broadway career with small roles in short-lived shows, though a musical called “The Me, Nobody Knows” ran for over 300 performances. In the mid-1990s, she toured as Mary Magdalene in the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Her songs were featured in a tour of the musical “Flashdance” from 2012 to 2014.
Irene Cara also formed the all-female band Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel and released a double CD that included the single “How Can I Make You Luv Me.” Her filmography includes “Sparkle” and “D.C. Cab.”
