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Mariah Carey and 8 Other Celebs Joining Empire Next Season
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Eliana Dockterman
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Correspondent
Updated: Dec 14, 2023 4:55 PM CUT
Published: Jul 7, 2015 4:16 PM CUT
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Eliana Dockterman
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Correspondent
Updated: Dec 14, 2023 4:55 PM CUT
Published: Jul 7, 2015 4:16 PM CUT
The first season of the hip-hop drama Empire had its fair share of cameos, including Courtney Love, Mary J. Blige, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jennifer Hudson, Naomi Campbell and Snoop Dogg. But the show’s success — it’s the most-watched show on television — has attracted even more star power for its sophomore season. Here’s everyone (so far) who will be joining the cast or making a guest appearance.
MORE: Empire Showrunner on Finale: We Always Planned That Would Happen to Lucious
Mariah Carey
Singer Mariah Carey is honored with Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 5, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic
Empire creator Lee Daniels announced at Mariah Carey’s Walk of Fame star ceremony that the singer would join the show this season. The news comes two months after one of *Empire’*s stars, Jussie Smollett, joined Carey in her music video for “Infinity,” during which he tries to woo the diva with an adorable puppy.
Kelly Rowland
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 04: Recording artist Kelly Rowland attends the 2015 Essence Music Festival on July 4, 2015 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Paras Griffin—Getty Images
The Destiny’s Child crooner will play the mother of Terrence Howard’s character Lucious Lyon in a flashback, according to E. The casting suggests that audiences will get their first looks at Lucious Lyon’s childhood and what drove the gangster-turned-rapper-turned-entrepreneur.
Marisa Tomei
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 30: Actress Marisa Tomei arrives at the 2015 MOCA Gala presented by Louis Vuitton at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on May 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage) Jeffrey Mayer—WireImage
The My Cousin Vinny star will appear in multiple episodes of Empire as Mimi Whiteman, a lesbian billionaire venture capitalist who meddles in Lyon family drama. It’s a rare TV appearance for the Oscar winner whose resume includes The Wrestler, The Lincoln Lawyer and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Chris Rock
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Comedian Chris Rock and dancer Victoria Rowell attend the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/WireImage) Mireya Acierto—WireImage
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Co-creator Danny Strong has kept the details of Chris Rock’s character largely under wraps. He “will be a person from the past,” he said at a Television Academy panel. But the show’s other creator, Lee Daniels, posted a video of Terrence Howard and Rock in matching orange jumpsuits on the set of the show, suggesting that Rock’s character will be locked up with Lucious Lyon.
Lenny Kravitz
WETZLAR, GERMANY - JUNE 23: Lenny Kravitz attends the vernissage 'Flash by Lenny Kravitz' on June 23, 2015 in Wetzlar, Germany. (Photo by Isa Foltin/Getty Images for Leica) Isa Foltin—2015 Isa Foltin
The show’s writers have yet to reveal who Lenny Kravitz will play on Empire, but the “Are You Gonna Go My Way” singer has a long history with co-creator Lee Daniels. The two worked together on both Precious and The Butler.
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Alicia Keys
DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS Dimitrios Kambouris—2015 Getty Images
Keys is getting into an Empire state of mind. Though the singer has not said who she will play on the show, she will likely flex her vocal cords as guest stars like Gladdys Knight and Rita Ora did last year.
Common
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 04: Recording artist Common attends the 2015 Essence Music Festival - Day 3 on July 4, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage) Bennett Raglin—WireImage
Lee Daniels told Access Hollywood that actor/singer Common would have a spot on Empire this season. Common has been building up his acting resume recently. He starred in Selma last year and won an Oscar with John Legend for the film’s original song “Glory.” He is also currently filming the upcoming superhero pic Suicide Squad.
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Oprah
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Oprah Winfrey arrives at the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Oprah Winfrey Dan MacMedan&mdashGetty Images
Unsurprisingly, getting Oprah Winfrey on Empire was no easy feat—even for Lee Daniels who worked with her on The Butler. “I tell him: ‘Lee, it’s not enough that you’ve taken every viewer possible on Wednesday night. Now you want me to leave my own network?'” Winfrey told The Hollywood Reporter. But Daniels confirmed to Access Hollywood that after much lobbying that he had succeeded in recruiting the talk show superstar for next season.
Pitbull
Artist Pitbull performs onstage at a one-of-a-kind concert experience in New York City, "PlentiTogether LIVE," bringing to life the "better together" theme of the first multi-brand rewards program in the U.S., Plenti. Kevin Mazur—2015 Kevin Mazur
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Pitbull is slated to play himself in an upcoming episode. He will perform the song “No Doubt About It” with Jessie Smollett.