Irene Cara

American Singer and Actress Known for Fame and Flashdance... What a Feeling

Irene Cara is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who gained fame during the early 1980s. Born on March 18, 1959, in The Bronx, New York, she became well-known for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film "Fame," for which she sang the title track. The song "Fame" became an international hit and won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Cara's success continued with the title song for the 1983 movie "Flashdance," called "Flashdance... What a Feeling." This track earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Throughout her career, Irene Cara has been recognized for her contributions to music and film, becoming an iconic figure particularly in the dance-pop and soundtrack genres.