Irene Cara

Much like her character in the 1980 film Fame, Irene Cara is a talented singer, actress, and performer.

She helped define the early ’80s with a handful of songs—most notably “Flashdance...What a Feeling.” • Irene Cara Escalera was born in the Bronx to an Afro-Puerto Rican father and a Cuban American mother.

• She made her Broadway debut at age eight and played the title role in the 1976 musical film Sparkle.