If the pages of history could talk, the entertainment section would be cemented with the name, “Irene Cara.” Youngster’s these days have no idea! Irene Cara was the voice, long before the Iconic Whitney Houston. Irene Cara is the voice of a generation. The energy and passion Irene possessed was transparent and fluid for much of the 80’s. It is with great regret, humility and sorrow that we must report of her passing at age 63. Way too soon!
In 1986, Irene Cara won the Oscar for best original song for the embedded 80’s tune, ‘What a Feeling’. Literally, the song is a soundtrack to belief and possibility. The song, ‘What a Feeling’ came as one of the lead singles from the “Flashdance” and “Fame,” movies that went on to be part of cinematic history. Irene Cara, an established actor earned her first Grammy Award in 1984 for the best pop vocal performance by a female. Soon thereafter, Irene Cara’s name was called again for a Golden Globe for best original song for her works for the movie, “Fame.”
Born 1959, Irene Escalera in the Bronx, Irene was a natural entertainer. At the tender age of five, Irene learned the piano and attended the prestigious Professional Children’s School in Manhattan where she learned the arts of performance. By the age of 13, Irene was cast as a regular on the popular tv show, “The Electric Company,” where she began to rise to stardom. In 1976, Irene Cara landed the role in “Sparkle,” in which a remake was made in 2012, starring Jennifer Hudson. Let it be known, Irene Cara was part of the original, “Sparkle.” The role in “Sparkle,” helped land Irene the opportunity to sing on the “Fame,” soundtrack, ‘Fame’ and the soulful ballad, ‘Out Here on My Own.”
In 1991, Irene Cara pulled back from the music industry, as she felt she was being black-balled due to her litigation over royalties she felt were due from previous works. In 1993, Irene won a settlement by a California court in a judgment against record labels for royalties owed. Irene Cara stayed out of the public spotlight until 2004, where she was awarded honors and induction to the Ciboney Cafe’s Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Prestige Awards.
Since 2005, Irene Cara kept herself busy by doing the NBC television series, “Hit Me, Baby, One More Time,” CMT’s reality show, “Gone Country,” and performing with her all-female band, Hot Caramel. In 2016, Irene Cara signed on to two residences in New Mexico and New Port Richey, Florida. In 2019, Irene Cara took a back seat to public life and focused on her podcast, “The Back Story,” where she often revealed little known facts about her career in the entertainment industry.
Sadly, Irene Cara’s passing was confirmed on Saturday by her publicist on twitter. Irene Cara, “You” will be truly missed.
