The music superstar was finally feted with the 2,556th star eight years after she was first handed the accolade, and her Precious director and close friend Daniels was there to salute her.

Taking the podium at the Hollywood ceremony, Daniels praised the singer, and let it slip that she is heading back to acting.

He said, "She is the queen. She is the one. Her heart transcends her stardom... I stopped everything I was doing to make sure I was here for you, because you always were there for me before I was 'Lee Daniels'. I'm so proud of you... Watch her on Empire, you guys. She's coming on Empire."

Carey later admitted she was moved by Daniels' speech, as well as remarks made by filmmaker pal Brett Ratner, record executive L.A. Reid and BET Programming President Stephen Hill.

The emotional singer, who was joined at the ceremony by her four-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, thanked her throng of fans for showing her support throughout the years and said, "This is so overwhelming... I just want to thank all the fans for coming here today. You're melting my heart, you're making me cry and that's why I'm keeping on my sunglasses. This is a huge honour. It's a childhood dream come true and it's been a long time coming. I'm very humbled."

Carey joins previously announced Empire guest stars Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Chris Rock, Snoop Dogg, and Alicia Keys, among others, for the upcoming second season of the U.S. drama.