After a long period of intrigue, speculation, and denials, it was finally confirmed at the Television Critics Association press tour earlier this month that Mariah Carey would be guest-starring on Empire. Now, in a new trailer for the show’s third season, we get our first look at mega-superstar Carey’s role as mega-superstar Kitty, who joins Empire to help Jamal (Jussie Smollett) work on a new song. In her split-second appearance in the trailer, Kitty tells Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), “You’ve always got a trick up your sleeve.”
Carey’s part is minor in the grand scheme of the season—the actress won’t appear on the Oct. 5 episode—and trailer spends most of its time on the season’s other major plot threads, including teasing a confrontation with Tariq (Morocco Omari). The role of a pop diva isn’t exactly a stretch for Carey. Still, her potential involvement has been rumored for so long, it’ll be exciting to see if she delivers.
Empire returns Sept. 21.
