Irene Cara was born Irene Cara Escalera in the Bronx, New York in 1959. She was an American singer, songwriter and actress who was known for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical film Fame. She also recorded both Fame’s title song “Fame,” which reached No. 1 in several countries, and Flashdance’s “Flashdance…What A Feeling,” another popular hit in the 1980s.
Cara is one of the most awarded artists of her generation, winning Grammies both as a vocalist and a songwriter. She won a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a People’s Choice Award, an Obie Award as a child for her work in theatre, an Image Award, as well as countless other industry honors for outstanding actress, singer and composer. She remains a beloved icon for an entire generation and an inspiration to young performers around the world.
3 facts about Irene Cara you may not know
Brionn learned that Irene starred in the 1979 TV show Roots: Next Generations. Her role in this intense drama earned her a reputation as an actor with serious chops before she hit stardom with her role in Fame.
Her rendition of one of Brionn’s favorite songs from Fame, “Out Here on My Own,” along with the title song “Fame,” were both nominated for an Oscar in 1981. She also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance in Flashdance.
In 1980, she briefly played the role of Dorothy in a touring version of The Wiz. The Wiz is a classic, and Brionn loves the thought of her fun and powerful voice singing classics like “Ease on Down the Road” and “Home.”
It goes without saying that Irene Cara will be greatly missed. Her legacy is one that not many will match. She taught us all to mean what we sing but still have a good time doing it. It’s an honor to pass on those same ideals through Brionn Warner Music.
Watch and listen to the beloved Irene Cara below: