Irene Cara, a celebrated artist, established her legacy as a singer renowned for performing movie themes while also maintaining a successful acting career that commenced during her childhood. Growing up in New York City under the care of Latin American parents, Cara embarked on her journey in the entertainment industry by making her Broadway debut at the tender age of eight in the musical Maggie Flynn. Subsequently, she graced the off-Broadway stage with a role in The Me Nobody Knows. Transitioning seamlessly to television and film, by the age of 18, she had already added TV mini-series Roots 2 and movies like Aaron Loves Angela and Sparkle to her repertoire.
In 1980, Irene Cara propelled herself into the mainstream limelight with a standout appearance in the film Fame, where she delivered a mesmerizing rendition of the title song, a Top Ten hit that garnered an Oscar. Her musical prowess was further highlighted in the movie with her Top 40 single “Out Here on My Own.” Seizing the opportunity presented by the movie’s success, she released her debut album, Anyone Can See, in 1982, setting the stage for more triumphs to come. Notably, she clinched the top spot on charts in the following year with “Flashdance…What a Feelin’,” a collaborative effort for the film Flashdance that earned her another Oscar along with several Grammys and two AMA awards.
Continuing her musical journey, Irene Cara released her second album, What a Feelin’, in 1982, showcasing a distinctive disco-pop sound that deviated from her previous R&B-focused work. The album spawned three Top 40 hits, including “Why Me?” and “The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream),” the latter serving as the theme for Joel Schumacher’s movie D.C. Cab. Despite facing challenges with litigation surrounding her third album, Carasmatic, Cara remained resilient and made a successful return to the stage. She participated in the acclaimed touring revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993, captivating audiences with her talent and stage presence. Throughout her career, she toured extensively, mesmerizing audiences in Europe and Asia, recording dance-pop singles, and making notable appearances on various musical television shows.