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'Empire' season 3 news, spoilers: Mariah Carey confirmed to guest star, EP talks possible spin-off & 'Star' crossover

Sheanne Aguila August 09, 2016 02:28 AM EST

The first official poster for \"Empire\" season 3 | Image courtesy of FOX

A well-known pop diva will be making a guest appearance on "Empire" when season 3 airs this Fall.

Mariah Carey has landed a guesting stint in Fox's hit musical drama, and she will portray a renowned Empire performer who does a collaboration with Jamal (Jussie Smollett) for an "explosive new song." During the show's TCA summer press tour panel last week, Cookie's portrayer Taraji P. Henson shared that her character shared some scenes with the singer as well. "She was great. She's fabulous, she's beautiful to look at. I wish I could wear a leotard like that," the actress said. "She brings a sense of what Mariah brings to the music industry. I'm grateful that she spent time with little old us."

Other newcomers for next season include hip hop artist Kid Cudi as Hakeem's new rival and Taye Diggs as a young "Harvard-educated city councilman" who crosses paths with Jamal. It will later on be revealed that his story arc will revolve around Cookie.

Showrunner Ilene Chaiken was also present during the event, and she mentioned that season 3 will focus more on Cookie's efforts to move on from her ex-husband Lucious. His decisions in the season 2 finale may have caused Cookie to be infuriated, but Chaiken notes the Lyon matriarch won't go too far. "At the core of her very being is her family, her boys," the showrunner explained (via USA Today). "Anything she does is for the good of her family, and I don't know what parent doesn't understand 'anything for her children.'"

Lucious and Cookie have so much history between them and Chaiken confirmed that there are talks about a possible spinoff. She did not give specific details on the network's plans but she mentioned how the creators think about the concept "all the time." She also addressed the chances of "Empire" crossing over to Lee Daniel's other Fox musical show "Star" which premieres midseason.

"We haven't talked about it yet. I think the show needs to launch first," Chaiken stated (via The Hollywood Reporter). "But certainly, there's potential for it. The worlds, they're both grounded worlds and stories about music, so it's not outside the realm of possibility."

"Empire" season 3 kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

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