1980 Irene Cara – Out Here On My Own
Irene Cara was born in the Bronx and was a finalist in the Little Miss America pageant when she was only three years old. She had lessons in music, dancing, and acting and began appearing in Spanish language television programs. In 1971-1972, Irene appeared as a regular member of the band on The Electric Company.
She appeared in several plays before landing an ongoing role on Love Of Life, a CBS soap opera. After appearing in several television mini-series, Irene was cast to act as one of the dancers in the film Fame. The producers rewrote her role in the film after hearing her sing, expanding it to include singing.
Irene sang the theme song for Fame, and the single topped the US Dance chart and peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 in 1980. She also sang Out Here On My Own in the film, and that record reached #19 on the Hot 100 and #20 on the Adult Contemporary chart later that year.
It was three years before Irene reached the top forty again. She co-wrote the lyrics and sang the theme song for another film, Flashdance. That single, Flashdance…What A Feeling, topped the Hot 100 in 1983. It also won the 1983 Academy Award for Best Song and the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Three more top forty singles followed, but none of her singles charted again after 1984. She focused more on acting, soundtrack appearances, and doing voices for cartoons.
Irene formed her own backup band, Hot Caramel, in 1999. She still continues to make public appearances with the band.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Cara
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