[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] Irene Cara (photo), an American singer and actress famous for the theme songs of the movies 'Fame' and 'Flashdance,' passed away at her home in Florida, according to the AP news agency on the 26th (local time). She was 63 years old.
Born in the Bronx, New York City, Cara started as a child star and gained worldwide attention by singing the theme songs of two films in the 1980s. The theme song of the 1980 musical film 'Fame' instantly made her a star. Cara also appeared as an actress in this film, which depicted the trials and successes of aspiring stars at a performing arts school in New York. The 'Fame' theme song was nominated for the Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The peak of her career came with the 1983 film 'Flashdance' and its theme song 'Flashdance... What a Feeling.' She co-wrote and performed the song herself, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for six weeks. In 1984, she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and two Grammy Awards. However, her subsequent activities fell short of expectations. The New York Times reported that Cara faced difficulties after disputes with her record label over income distribution, leading to her being blacklisted in the industry.
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