Mariah Carey to Guest Star on ‘Empire’ Season 3

Mariah Carey will guest star and perform on the upcoming third season of “Empire.
”The announcement was made Monday at the Television Critics Association press
 tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Carey will play Kitty, a mega-superstar who comes to Empire to collaborate with Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) on an explosive new song. When the duet encounters obstacles, Kitty helps Jamal dig deep to overcome personal difficulties and reach a musical breakthrough. Her episode airs Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Other guest stars for Season 3 are the previously announced Taye Diggs, Sierra 
McClain, French Montana and Birdman.

Carey has been long rumored to appear on “Empire.” Last season, her name 
repeatedly popped up, though at the time, insiders told Variety no actual plans 
were in place, due to her busy schedule. At the beginning of Season 2, “Empire” 
showrunner Ilene told us that Carey guest starring is a “really exciting proposition.”

Carey visited TCA earlier in the press tour to promote her upcoming E! reality series 
“Mariah’s World.”

“Empire” returns with its third season on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m.