‘Empire’ Season 3 Spoilers: Jussie Smollett Shares Reaction To Rhonda’s Death, Dishes On Mariah Carey Performances

Rhonda’s gruesome death on the Season 3 premiere of “Empire” wasn’t just upsetting for fans; it was also equally as hard for the cast to digest. In a new interview, Jussie Smollett opens up about the Fox show killing off Kaitlin Doubleday’s character, teasing that she may not be gone for good. Smollett also dished on an upcoming project he has with “Empire” guest star Mariah Carey.

“I was sad because I love Kaitlin personally, outside of the show,” he told “Entertainment Tonight” at the iHeartRadio Music Festival Saturday. “It’s always tough when you lose a character.” Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on the hip-hop drama, said there’s a chance fans may get to see more of Rhonda because the show “is known for flashbacks and good stuff like that.” He added: “You never know.”

One thing Smollett has previously said he’s looking forward to on “Empire” is working with Carey. The “Obsessed” singer will star as Kitty, a mega-superstar who is close friends with Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson). Kitty enters the scene to collaborate on a song with Jamal, but first has to help him deal with some of his issues and make a musical breakthrough. Carey’s “Empire” episode is slated to air Oct. 5.

“It was incredible,” Smollett told “Entertainment Tonight” last month. “She landed at 1 a.m. She came into the studio. We were there until seven in the morning, and we just recorded the song, and it was incredible, and I love her.”

If fans are excited to see Carey and Smollett sing together on the Fox show, they will be thrilled to hear that the duo is also teaming up for a few live performances. According to “Entertainment Tonight,” Smollett will be traveling to Hawaii in November to sing with Carey for three of her shows. The 33-year-old said he was originally only supposed to join Carey for one show but since it sold out so quickly, a second show was added. When the second show also sold out quickly, a third was added to the schedule.

“Mariah is just amazing,” he gushed to the outlet. “The support that she’s shown me so far, she absolutely did not have to be as supportive as she is but she has been.”

“Empire” Season 3 airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.