Irene Cara is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She became famous for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film Fame, earning her a Golden Globe nomination, and her recording of the song Fame became an international hit. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for cowriting Flashdance... What a Feeling, which also became an international hit.
Cara was born in New York City. Her father, Gaspar Cara, was AfroPuerto Rican, and her mother, Louise, was an American of Cuban descent. Cara has two sisters and two brothers.
Source: Wikipedia