Oscar and Grammy winner, Irene Cara has passed away.  The singer/songwriter/actress, known for her memorable vocal performances to the theme of the hit movie, Fame, and singing the title track to another 80’s blockbuster, Flashdance, apparently died in her Florida home yesterday. The cause of death is not yet known.

According to her publicist, Judith Moore on Twitter, the rep shared: “This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news.  It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara. The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home.  Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”

A little known fact is that Irene’s first acting gig was on the daytime drama, Love of Life from 1970-1971 in the role of Daisy Allen.   She later appeared in TV roles on: What’s Happening, Kojak, Roots: The Next Generations, and in the film, Sparkle and many more.

Later, Cara first rose to prominence when she was cast in the 1980’s musical film Fame, where she sang the title track and starred in as Coco Hernandez.  Her vocal performance in Fame earned her two Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance Female in 1981.

Two years later, Cara not only picked up two Grammy Awards for her performance, but also an Oscar for  co-writing, “Flashdance… What a Feeling” from another 80’s pop culture smash, Flashdance.  At the Grammys in 1984, Irene won for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, and Best Album of an Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.  She took home the Oscar for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards in 1983.

Cara’s rep added, that at the time of Irene’s death they were working on new projects: “Working on amazing projects that would have made her  and her fans incredibly happy. Her manager and I will finish them. She’d want that.”

Share your thoughts and remembrances on the passing of Irene Cara via the comment section below.

This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans. – JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh

— Irene Cara (@Irene_Cara) November 26, 2022

Michael Damian, who is reprising his role as Danny Romalotti on upcoming episodes of The Young and the Restless, has also been very busy producing films including Netflix’s new holiday hit, Falling For Christmas.

Falling for Christmas stars Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet, and was directed by Michael’s wife, Janeen Damian.  In the film, Lohan plays a newly engaged and spoiled heiress who finds herself living away from the luxury she’s used to after an accident at a destination proposal gone wrong leaves her suffering from amnesia.

Photo: Netflix

On Black Friday, Damian revealed that his new single from the soundtrack of the film is out and dropped on Spotify and all music streaming platforms.

The track is titled, Must Be Christmas, and for all of Michael’s fans from his singing days as rock star, Danny Romalotti, you will enjoy getting to hear him sing all these years later.

Photo: MDamianIG

So, will you be adding Michael’s ‘Must Be Christmas’ to your holiday playlist? Let us know in the comment section below.

 

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