Lee Daniels wants Mariah Carey to play herself on 'Empire'

Oscar winning-filmmaker Lee Daniels wants singer Mariah Carey to star as herself on his TV series "Empire."
The 55-year-old filmmaker and Carey, 45, are longtime friends who have collaborated on projects including "Precious", "The Butler" and "Tennessee" which earned the singer some of the best reviews of her acting career, said The Hollywood Reporter.
"She's a friend whom I enjoy working with as an actor. She gives her soul to me. I don't know her to be tardy. For me, she's on time. I know that she's notorious for it but I don't know that side of her.
"If we're having dinner, she's on time. If we're having lunch, she's on time. And if we're on set, she's on time. I'm so looking forward to her coming on Empire," Daniels said.

The hit Fox drama has something "specifically" written for Carey but the director is not sure if she will play herself in the series. However, he said it will be fun it she does that.
"They are writing something specifically for her. I don't know (if she's playing herself) but she doesn't want to. I sort of want her to because I want to have fun with her playing herself," he said.
"I torture her, so what other things can we do together creatively that we haven't done? Her playing herself and almost making fun of herself could be fun. We'll see," he added.