Empire: Pitbull, Mariah Carey, Chris Rock & More Exciting Season 2 Guest Stars

Chris! Mariah! Pitbull! We're Getting Amped for These (and Many More) 'Empire' Season 2 Guest Stars

Because everyone knows that Cookie is at her best when she has plenty of people to tear into

Published on September 23, 2015 04:35PM EDT

The day has finally arrived: Empire is back, and (no doubt) better than ever.

While we’re obviously excited to see the return of Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and the rest of the Lyon family, we’re also dying to find out what the new season’s influx of guest stars will bring to the table.

Of all the big names looking to make their mark on Empire this year – including Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Swizz Beatz and Henson’s own favorite newcomer Vivica A. Fox – these are the six guest stars we can’t wait to meet ….

Chris Rock
While we do know that the comedian will be serving time alongside Lucious (Terrence Howard), we don’t know exactly what kind of impact he’ll have on Empire (and Empire) in the long run. Still one thing’s for sure: If we were any of the Lyon boys, we definitely wouldn’t want to mess with him.

Marisa Tomei
Finally, Cookie gets a new partner in crime! Sure, it’s highly likely that Tomei’s Mimi Whiteman – described as a “venture capitalist worth billions who loves hip-hop, fashion and beautiful women” – will turn out to be one of Cookie’s frenemies, but either way her presence means we’re bound to get plenty more one-liners and outrageous outfits, both of which are two of our favorite reasons to watch.

Kelly Rowland
The R&B superstar and former member of Destiny’s Child will play Lucious’ mother in a flashback sequence. And really, aren’t we all dying to know more about the woman who made Lucious the man he is today?

Adam Rodriguez
The Magic Mike XXL star will reportedly play Cookie’s new love interest. On behalf of everyone who has seen either one of the Magic Mike films, all we can say is: Well done, girl.

Pitbull
Dale! Look, half of the fun of watching Empire is the ridiculous, borderline-cheesy but always catchy musical numbers, and nobody epitomizes that fun-loving musical sensibility quite like Mr. Worldwide. Try and listen to “No Doubt About It,” his new song with Jamal, without dancing. It’s physically impossible, and we cannot wait to see it on screen.

Mariah Carey
Do we have any idea who she’ll be playing? Not at all. Does it matter? Not at all. The Elusive Chanteuse herself is going to share the small screen with Queen Cookie – nothing else really matters.