Mariah Carey to play superstar singer Kitty on Empire

California — After two seasons of teasing viewers about whether it would happen, Mariah Carey has set a date to guest star on Fox's Empire.

Carey will appear on the 5 October episode, the network confirmed Monday at a TV critics bi-annual press tour.

She will play a superstar singer named Kitty, who collaborates with Jussie Smollett's character, Jamal Lyon, on a new song. Lyon has a creative block until Kitty helps him deal with some personal issues to make the song work.

"Mariah loves the show" and has long made a point of sharing her passion for it when they have met at events, said Dana Walden, chairman and CEO of the Fox Television Group.

Carey filmed the episodes last week, Walden said.

Other guest stars confirmed for season three, which debuts 21 September, include actor Taye Diggs and rapper French Montana.