Yahoo Movies Mariah Carey, Jennifer Beals, other celebs react to the death of Irene Cara: 'Such an inspiration'
Celebrities from music, film, and television are remembering Oscar-winning singer, actress, and songwriter Irene Cara, who died Friday at age 63.
Cara won her Academy Award for co-writing the theme song from the 1983 film Flashdance, "Flashdance...What a Feeling." The star of that movie, Jennifer Beals, paid tribute to Cara, whom she called a "brilliant" and "fearless triple threat."
"Thank you brilliant Irene for your open heart and your fearless triple threat talent," Beals wrote on Instagram, sharing a picture of them at the Oscars. "It took a beautiful dreamer to write and perform the soundtracks for those who dare to dream."
Cara's breakthrough film performance was in 1976's Sparkle about three sisters who form a girl group, but her biggest role was in 1980's Fame as starry-eyed protagonist Coco Hernandez. Debbie Allen co-starred in that film as well as the TV series of the same name as dance instructor Lydia Grant.
"My heart is broken," Allen tweeted. "IreneCara was such a gifted and beautiful genius. Her talent and her music will LIVE FOREVER! FOREVER REMEMBER HER NAME!"
My Heart Is Broken. 💔#IreneCara was such a gifted and beautiful genius. Her talent and her music will LIVE FOREVER! FOREVER REMEMBER HER NAME! 😢❤️ #FAME pic.twitter.com/ZUnOfGngFT
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) November 26, 2022
Lenny Kravitz admitted to being "madly in love" with her character Coco and that he was greatly inspired by Cara as an artist.
"Irene Cara, you inspired me more than you could ever know. Your songwriting and vocals created pure energy that will never cease," Kravitz tweeted. "You also defined an era that is so close to my heart. Your portrayal of "Coco" in Alan Parker's Fame is immortal and know that I was madly in love with her. Thank you Irene. You're gonna live forever."
Irene Cara, you inspired me more than you could ever know. Your songwriting and vocals created pure energy that will never cease. You also defined an era that is so close to my heart. pic.twitter.com/7cpCUY1aI1
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) November 26, 2022
Mariah Carey posted a screenshot of Fame along with Cara's hit single from the movie, "Out Here On My Own," which Carey had also covered. "I put on the original Fame in honor of the late, great Irene Cara," she wrote. "Such an inspiration to so many, especially to me. Her beauty and talent is awe-inspiring in this movie. Rest in peace, dear angel."
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) November 27, 2022
"Oh no. Sing in power forever Irene Cara. Light up the sky like a flame," wrote Diane Warren, the Oscar-nominated songwriter recently honored with a Governors Award.
Oh no. Sing in power forever Irene Cara. Light Up The Sky Like A Flame🎤💔Irene Cara, 'Fame' singer, dead at 63, publicist says. https://t.co/6yQmMTUAv0
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) November 26, 2022
John Leguizamo said Cara was "one of the reasons" he is here today and that she "fueled" his community.
'She was one of the reasons I am here today!" he tweeted. "She made me believe if you were Latin you could make it! She fueled my community. She will be missed! Rest in power!"
#ireneCara she was one of the reasons I am here today! She made me believe if you were Latin you could make it! She fueled my community. She will be missed! Rest in power! pic.twitter.com/d9LUCtFsC2
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) November 26, 2022
"Now ... there is nothing," said fellow Oscar-winner Questlove, sharing Cara's publicist's announcement of her death on Instagram. "Goodbye Irene Cara. I'm sad about this."
Rest in Peace & Heaven 👑😔🕊️🙏🏾✨incomparable multi-talented actress stage/screen, singer, songwriter, performer - Oscar & Grammy winner Irene Cara. A trailblazer & inspiration. My condolences to her family she’s gonna live forever in ♥️leaving an incredible impactful legacy. pic.twitter.com/QMvoj0D6eN
— JODY WATLEY (@jodywatley) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara. Your voice/words were the opening notes of the performer I’ve become. Thku 4 yr gift. For paving the way for me, inspiring me to believe I could b, in this space, with this face, as me. I hope u felt appreciated, accepted, heard, seen. #RipIreneCara #OutHereOnMyOwn pic.twitter.com/3RGdIuuXCg
— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) November 26, 2022
Saddened by the death of my Broadway co-star #IreneCara. We were both so young on Broadway in the play Maggie Flynn. My condolences to here family. Such an amazing talent and sweet person💜💜💜💐💐💐 pic.twitter.com/mH8RgW5Qcj
— Stephanie Mills (@PrettyMill1) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara.Gloriously powerful award winning singer/songwriter. Her gifts empowered. Her songs fueled coming of age years. My fave memory is a childhood one: seeing people of color in a love story for the 1st time:Aaron Loves Angela.Her NY light will shine in this NYer #irenecara pic.twitter.com/2I6f9cIkT2
— Kim Fields (@KimVFields) November 26, 2022
Rest In Peace beautiful Irene Cara. https://t.co/mvoFTtkpqk
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) November 26, 2022
Rest In Peace beautiful Irene Cara one of my biggest inspirations growing up💫🕊
— Deborah Cox (@Deborah_Cox) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara. So lovely. What a presence. What a voice. She defined a decade with her songs. God speed. pic.twitter.com/hOktkPs1gw
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara? Peace be still. ❤️🙏🏽
— Pam Grier Ph.D (@PamGrier) November 26, 2022
#IreneCara, her talent, her beauty, THAT VOICE, were revolutionary for me as a teen. Seeing her on FAME, hearing her on the radio lit my imagination on fire. Thank you, Ms. Cara. Rest now, bellesa. 😔 https://t.co/MPVIrGjjVj
— Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) November 26, 2022
When I first saw Irene perform, I was just blown away! The insane combination of talent and beauty was overwhelming to me. This hurts my heart so much. 💔💔💔💔
I have been a fan for so many years …
Rest In Peace 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #IreneCara https://t.co/j6UpSILnXz pic.twitter.com/fq5tTn8kmx— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara sang New York City’s song.
Born in the Bronx, she reached for the stars and delivered a soundtrack for the ages.
She will be truly missed. Rest in peace. https://t.co/QNioRdBP32— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 26, 2022
This breaks my ❤️ to hear. #IreneCara was one of the first women I saw singing, dancing & acting in color not B&W who looked like me. Seeing her in #Fame changed my life. 1 of the first 45s I remember owning was her beautiful song #AnyoneCanSee. It’s still one of my favorites. https://t.co/JNImrMyAjy
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) November 26, 2022
Irene Cara, I loved you from the start! You will be sorely missed in this world. Your talent and beautiful spirit touched us all so deeply. Farewell sweet princess. pic.twitter.com/Dq29WP1zsd
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) November 27, 2022
Grew up watching Irene Cara take on the world... what a feeling.. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/1B8wFj5nNW
— loni love (@LoniLove) November 26, 2022
I’m so sad to hear about Irene Cara, she was a real light. ❤️❤️❤️rest easy
— Flea (@flea333) November 26, 2022
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