Eileen Kara, oscar winning star fame and the chart-topping singer offlash dance… What a Feeling” has died at the age of 63.
Cara passed away at her home in Florida on Friday, her publicist Judith A. Moore announced on Twitter. Her cause of death is “currently unknown and will be released when information becomes available”.
“On behalf of her family, it is with great sadness to announce the passing of Eileen Cara. The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away at her home in Florida,” Moore tweeted. did. “She is a beautiful and talented soul and her legacy will live on forever through her music and films.”
Born in the Bronx, Carla was a child actress who appeared in shows like electrical factory before appearing in a Broadway musical Via Galactica, With And inspired by the Supremes shiningthe latter was adapted for the big screen in 1976, with Carla in the lead role.
Cara’s breakout came in the 1980 hit movie fame, featuring the actress who plays Coco Hernandez, and a portion rewritten specifically for her. She also sang the track’s title tracks “Fame” and “Out Here on My Own”, both of which were nominated for Best Original Song. at the Academy Awards. When Fame became the first film to register double nominations in that category, Cara followed Oscar tradition by performing both songs at the ceremony. .
the success of fame Despite never releasing an album of her own, Cara was also splintered in the music industry when she was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Her Cara debut LP, anyone can seearrived in 1982.
The following year, Cara scored her biggest hit with “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” the theme from the 1983 blockbuster film. flash danceCo-written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, this track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks in 1983 and the soundtrack shot to number one. The single brought Cara her second Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her.
Cara reunited with Moroder and Forsey on the 1983 LP Why A Feelin’featuring her Flashdance hits and singles “Breakdance”, “Why Me” and “The Dream (Hold On to Your Dream)”, the latter of which was included on the soundtrack of DC caba film in which Cara appeared as herself in a small role.
However, despite chart-topping success, Carla’s music career stalled as it turned out to be a decade-long legal battle with her label, Network Records.
“After that album, I sued my label. [not pay me]and continued to use me for his tiny little label distribution ”Cara told Songwriter Universe So I sued him, it took eight years and cost me my future as a recording artist because no other label would sign me.RSO sent threatening letters to other labels. was And one of the labels that signed me said they would stand by me during the lawsuit. But when I finish the album (1987’s) Karasmatic), they shelved it and did not promote it. A jury finally sided with her in 1993 and awarded her royalties for her hit song.
However, over the next decade, Carla continued to act both on screen and stage, appearing in films. city heat Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, specific angerWhen Trapped in Paradisoand the 1993 revival jesus christ superstarShe has also been a backup singer for artists such as Lou Reed, Oleta Adams and Evelyn “Champagne” King.
By the 2000s, Cara was “semi-retired”, appearing in real-life singing competitions and sporadic live appearances. “I have a beautiful house by the beach and life is good,” she told Songwriter Universe.[These days] I live on royalties and work when I want. I don’t have to work… I make more money not working than I do. “