Irene Cara (born March 18, 1962) Billboard artist biography is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling". She is best known for her recordings of the songs "Fame" and "Flashdance... What a Feeling". She also starred in the 1980 film version of Fame.Cara's father, Gaspar Cara (died in 1994), was an Afro-Car