Siren never has time for leading lady (7)

I believe the answer is:

empress

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'for leading lady' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for empress that I've seen before include "1 across was from 1877" , "She rules over many territories" , "Catherine the Great, for example" , "Maria Theresa, perhaps" , "Delilah?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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