Irene Cara, ’80s Pop Star Behind ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ Theme Songs, Dead at 63

Irene Cara

Trailblazing actress and singer Irene Cara — a former teen star who rose to international prominence in the 1980s on the strength of her performance as entertainment triple-threat Coco Hernandez in the hit movie "Fame" — has died. She was 63.

Cara's publicist, Judith Moose, shared the news on the star's official Twitter account on Saturday.

"It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara," Moose wrote. "The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter, and producer passed away in her Florida home."

Moose went on to say that the cause of Cara's death was currently unknown, but more information would be released when it was available and said a memorial for her fans would be "planned at a future date."

"She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films," Moose continued.

The New York native was the youngest of five children. born in the Bronx on March 18, 1959, to a Black Puerto Rican father and a Cuban American mother.

Cara's entertainment career began early with her participation in the Little Miss America Pageant as a child. She began studying piano, dance and acting seriously by the age of five and her talents landed her on Spanish-language TV, where she displayed her skills as a singer and dancer.

This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can't believe I've had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I'll be reading each and every one of them and know she'll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans. - JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh

— Irene Cara (@Irene_Cara) November 26, 2022

In addition to putting out a Spanish-language album and an English Christmas record, she also spent time on television's "Electric Company" as a regular in the show's house band, before roles in the movies "Aaron Loves Angela" and "Sparkle" as a teen made her a star.

It was her role in the 1980 musical "Fame" about New York's High School for the Performing Arts, however, that would catapult Cara into the forefront of the world's conciseness.

Her performance earned her a Golden Globe and two Grammy nominations. Cara earned hit singles with the eponymously named title track as well as "Out Here on My Own," helping make the film's multi-platinum soundtrack reach No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The peak of her career would come three years later with the release of "Flashdance… What a Feeling." Cara co-wrote the lyrics for the title track to the Jennifer Beals-led romantic drama centered on the dance world.

For her efforts, she became the first Hispanic-Black woman to win an Oscar in a category other than an acting category, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The smash hit also earned her a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.

Rapper Accused in Murder of Young Dolph Drops Track From Jail

Justin Johnson

One of the four men who stand accused in the murder of rapper Young Dolph lost his phone privileges on Tuesday when it was revealed in court that he had recorded a rap song on YouTube from jail while in custody.

Judge Lee Coffee revoked Justin Johnson’s phone, writing, and visitation privileges for the offense.

“I am ordering that Mr. Johnson not be allowed to use a phone or have any visitation privileges unless it is his attorney because of that inappropriate recording that he allegedly released and recorded while he was in jail,” Judge Coffee said.

Johnson, whose rap name is “Straight Drop,” uploaded the song titled “No Statements” a few days before a Nov. 22, 2022, court hearing for another defendant charged in connection with the murder.

The artwork for the single says it was recorded inside 201 Poplar, the address of the men’s facility for Memphis, Tennessee’s, Shelby County Jail.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot 22 times while visiting South Memphis' bakery Makeda’s Cookies on Nov. 17, 2021. He died from gunshot wounds to his head, neck and torso.

Johnson was the first suspect arrested in his death and is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Three other men also face charges in his death: Jermarcus Johnson, Hernandez Govan and Cornelius Smith.

B. Smyth, 'Twerkaholic' Singer, Dead at 30

B. Smyth

“Twerkaholic” singer B. Smyth has died.

Denzil, the older brother of the Florida native, who first found fame by covering popular artists on YouTube, shared the news on Smyth’s official Instagram page Thursday (Nov. 17).

“I have to announce that my brother has passed away this morning from respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis,” he wrote.

There were conflicting reports of his age following the news, but several sources have confirmed that the R&B singer was 30 years old at the time of his death, though at publication his Wikipedia entry still lists his age as 28.

Smyth, whose first name was Brandon, signed to Motown Records in 2012 based on the strength of the popular covers he posted on his YouTube page of artists like Michael Jackson and Rihanna.

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A post shared by B. SMYTH (@bsmyth__)

His first single “Leggo” with 2 Chainz was released in 2012. It reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and peaked at No. 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles list.

Smyth’s debut album “The Florida Files” followed in 2013, minus the single, but scored a solid hit in “Win Win” a collaboration with rapper Future.

The singer continued to make and produce music up until his death, releasing his second album “Thr3” in 2017 and several singles, but It was “Twerkaholic” that would come to define his career.

Released in 2014 the booty-shaking anthem built on a sample from Ready For the World’s 1986 hit “Love You Down,” has been streamed more than 13 million times on Spotify and 17 million views of its visual on YouTube.

He also had a viral hit with “Ride Good” in 2018. The single peaked at No. 14 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and has nearly 14 million streams on Spotify, while the video accompanying its release has over 30 million YouTube views.

In the video accompanying the news, Denzil thanked fans for his brother adding, "He wanted me to make this video to show how much he appreciates what you did for him. All the love and lightness you were showing him on social media - he really felt it."