Oscar-winning Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara dies aged 63

"She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films."

Irene Cara, the Oscar-winning singer of the title tracks to Fame and Flashdance, has died at age 63, her publicist announced. Judith A. Moose said the star passed away at her Florida home as she encouraged people to share their "thoughts and memories of Irene". Cara's cause of death is currently unknown and will be released "when information is available". https://twitter.com/Irene_Cara/status/1596392865948499968 In a statement posted to Twitter, Moose said:

“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. “Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date.”

She also wrote: “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.” Cara was trained in music, dance and acting as a child. At a young age in the '70s, she appeared on stage and on television - including on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show. However, it was her role in the 1980 musical film Fame that launched her to superstardom. Cara was initially cast as a dancer in the movie. However, when producers heard her voice, the role of Coco Hernandez was re-written for her and she sang the title track. She was nominated for two Grammys after Fame, for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Artist. She then won a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1984 with the title track to Flashdance, the film starring Jennifer Beals as an aspiring dancer. Cara later appeared in films such as D.C. Cab and City Heat along with various television and stage projects.