Christina Aguilera to play stripper in new musical

The Candyman singer has signed on to make her film debut in Burlesque, a film about a shy American girl whose life changes when she takes a job at a Los Angeles strip club.

The

HT Image

Candyman

singer has signed on to make her film debut in

Burlesque

, a film about a shy American girl whose life changes when she takes a job at a Los Angeles strip club.

Clint Culpepper - from Screen Gems, the studio making the film - said: "I couldn't be more excited, as this was a project written with her in mind."

This is the first time Christina, 28, has appeared in a film, though she voiced a character in the 2004 animation

Shark Tale

.

Burlesque

– which is reportedly based on Bob Fosse's iconic musical

Cabaret

was written by Pussycat Dolls producer Steven Antin, who will also direct the project.

It will be produced by Donald De Line, who previously worked on

I Love You, Man

. Filming will start in September and the movie is due for release late next year.

This is not the first time Screen Gems has worked with a chart-topping diva. Beyonce Knowles stars in new thriller

.