Empire Season 3 Spoilers: Taraji P. Henson Confirms Major Character Death, Rhonda Or Anika Dies In Fall 2016 Premiere?

Season 2 of hip-hop drama series Empire ended with Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) attacking Anika (Grace Gealey) on the 30th floor balcony, after Anika admitted to pushing Rhonda down the stairs resulting in her miscarrying her and her husband, Andre Lyon’s (Trai Byers) baby. Andre showed up to get Anika for his father, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard). When he arrived on the balcony all we see is the horror on Andre’s face as either Anika or Rhonda fell over the side of the balcony.

Related: First Pic of Young Cookie and Lucious, Preview Video & More!

In an interview with Extra, Taraji P. Henson, who portrays Empire’s Lyon Matriarch, Cookie Lyon confirmed that one of the ladies definitely doesn’t survive. She also revealed how the cast heard about the shocking news. “They send us the script and then everybody’s calling each other like, What? What? What?” she said. Fans of Empire will just have to wait until September 21 to find out who it is!

Empire showrunner, Ilene Chaiken also spoke about the Season 2 finale at the Television Critics Association, and promised that everything will be revealed in a “fabulous and heart-stopping way” early into Season 3.

When Empire returns for Season 3, we will see Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) still on the mend from getting shot last season, when he took a bullet meant for his father. He will still be refusing to sing because of all the family drama and it is believed that Mariah Carey, who will be playing the character of Kitty, a good friend of Cookie’s, will come and try to help Jamal “get through his difficulties”.

Besides all the guest appearances announced for Empire’s Season 3, we also learn that Xzibit who portrays Leslie “Shyne” Johnson, has been promoted to series regular for Season 3. He has managed artists, started record imprints and even sold a few units here and there, but most of his life has involved, drugs, guns and extortion.

Related: Cookie And Lucious’ Relationship Status, Cookie’s New Love Interest – Plus An ‘Empire’ Crossover!

He feels shut out by the other heavy hitters in the music industry and he carries a huge chip on his shoulder, especially towards Lucious Lyon. It will be interesting to see if he will team up with Cookie to take Lucious down. Cookie seems dedicated to the family business, Empire, but her hatred and hurt for Lucious may run far deeper than others can even see. We also cannot forget Lucious’ half-brother Tariq, who is played by Morocco Omari. Will he also have a vendetta against Lucious, or will they team up to make Empire the biggest and best record label out there?

Empire Season 3 premieres on Wednesday, September 21 at 9 p.m. ET on FOX. Be sure to check back often for updates, news and spoilers!

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