Irene Cara Escalera was an American singer and actress. Cara sang and co-wrote the song “Flashdance… What a Feeling”, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1984.
At the age of three, Cara was one of five finalists for the “Little Miss America” pageant. She began to play the piano by ear, studied music, acting and dance seriously, and began taking dance lessons when she was five.
Her performing career started with her singing and dancing professionally on Spanish-language television.
She made early TV appearances on The Original Amateur Hour (singing in Spanish) and Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show.
Cara is also known for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film Fame, and for recording the film’s title song “Fame”.
Prior to her success with Fame, Cara portrayed the title character Sparkle Williams in the original 1976 musical drama film Sparkle.
In March 2004, Cara received two honors with an induction into the Ciboney Cafe’s Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the sixth annual Prestige Awards.
As of 2016, Cara had residences in both New Port Richey, Florida, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
How old was Irene Cara in Sparkle?
Irene Cara was 17 years in Sparkle.
Was Irene Cara in Fame?
Yes, Irene Cara is also known for playing the role of Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film Fame, and for recording the film’s title song “Fame”.