Musician Irene Cara has died at the age of 63.
The singer is best known for singing and co-writing the theme tune to 1983 film Flashdance, What A Feeling, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song the following year.
Irene's publicist Judith A. Moose announced the sad news the singer died in her Florida home with the cause of death not yet disclosed.
"It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara," Judith wrote on Twitter.
"The Academy Award winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home.
"Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available.
"Irene's family has requested privacy as they process their grief.
"She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.
"Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date."
Her publicist shared her sorrow with fans as she revealed the 63-year-old had been working on new material.
"Believe me, I wish it weren't true," she added.
"We were working on amazing projects that would have made her and her fans incredibly happy. Her manager and I will finish them. She'd want that."
The star trained in music, dance and acting as a child and appeared on stage and on television, including appearances on PBS and on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show," at a young age in the 1970s.
But it was the 1980 musical Fame that catapulted the young star into the limelight.
She was initially cast as a dancer in the musical drama but then the role of Coco Hernandez was written for her and she sang the title track.
After the film was released to worldwide success, she was nominated for two Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Artist.
She then won another Grammy and an Oscar in 1984 with the title track to Flashdance.
Irene continued working in acting and music and appeared in films such as D.C. Cab and City Heat and various television shows alongside appearing in live theatre and musicals.
Tributes have poured in for the singer with many fans praising her for having such an impact on their childhood through her music.
GMB anchor Pip Tomson shared a clip from the movie and tweeted: "Irena Cara. The singer. This song. Lit up my childhood. Legend. #RIPIreneCara & thank you."
Another fan posted: "Irene was a HUGE source of inspiration in “my” 80ies !!!! Fame and Flash Dance gave me a Super boost and they still DO today. So much of my Gratitude goes to her. May God Welcome and Bless Irene."
A third posted: "From Fame to Flashdance the tracks were blasting from my bedroom in the in the early 80s she was a icon #RIP Irene Cara #Fame#flashdance gone far too soon."
