Irene Cara played the lead role in the film ” Fame » since 1980 and sang the hit « Flashdance… What a feeling released in 1983.
Irene Cara, protagonist of Fame and singer of Flashdance… What a feeling “, died at the age of 63. She died Friday at her Florida home, publicist Judith A. Moore announced on Twitter about her. The cause of her death is currently unknown and will be published when information becomes available ».
« It is with deep sadness that, on behalf of her family, I announce the passing of Irene Cara. The Oscar-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer dies at her Florida homeMoore tweeted. He was a wonderfully gifted soul whose legacy will live on forever through his music and films. ».
This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. She will read each of them and I know she will smile from heaven. She adored fans of her. – JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh
— Irene Cara (@Irene_Cara) November 26, 2022
Born in the Bronx, Cara was a child actor appearing in shows such as The Electric Factory before performing in Broadway musicals such as Galactic Way, The magician et Spark. The latter, inspired by the Supremes, was adapted for the big screen in 1976 with Cara in the lead role.
Cara made it big in 1980 thanks to the film Fame, in which she played Coco Hernandez, a role rewritten especially for her. In addition to her role in this film (which tells the story of talented students of a New York high school specializing in the performing arts), Cara also sang the titles ” Fame ” And ” Out here alone from the soundtrack, both nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. Fame being the first film to be nominated twice in this category, Cara, in Oscar tradition, performed both songs during the ceremony. is ultimately” Fame which won the Oscar.
The success of Fame impacted the music industry, as Cara, who hadn’t released any albums, was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards. Cara’s first album, anyone can see, came out in 1982.
The following year, Cara had her biggest hit with ” Flashdance… What a feeling », the theme of the film Flash Dance, released in 1983. The piece; co-written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, it spent six weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983, helping the film’s soundtrack climb to number one. The single also earned Cara her second Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Cara reunited with Moroder and Forsey for her album What a feeling in 1983, which contained his tube of Flash Dance as well as singles breakdance », « Why me ” And ” The dream (hold on to your dream) ”, the latter included in the soundtrack of DC cabin, a film in which Cara played herself.
However, despite this success, Cara’s music career has been hampered by a decades-long legal battle with her label Network Records, which she is suing. ” After this album, I took my label to court. First of all, my label had collapsed on its own…lost its distribution. And I was stuck with a label president continuing [ne pas me payer]and continued to use me for distribution on his small labelCara said The universe of songwriters in 2018. So I sued him, and it took eight years and cost me my future as a recording artist, because no other label wanted to sign me. RSO has sent threatening letters to other labels. The only label that signed me told me they would support me through the process. But once my album is finished (Charismatic1987), they set it aside and did not promote it A jury finally sided with Cara in 1993, awarding her the royalties for her hits.
Over the next decade, Cara continued to perform on screen and stage, appearing in films Guns high! with Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, The impossible race et Caged in Heavenas well as in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993. She has also been a backing vocalist for artists such as Lou Reed, Oleta Adams and Evelyn “Champagne” King.
In the 2000s, Cara took on a “ semi-retired “, making appearances in reality contests and sporadic appearances on stage. ” I have a nice beach house and life is goodshe said The universe of songwriters. I live off my royalties and work when I want, and I consider myself semi-retired. I don’t need to work… I make more money by not working than by working. »
Daniel Kreps
Translated by the editor
