Christina Aguilera is set to appear in Burlesque – a musical film set in a neo-burlesque club in Los Angeles.

The movie, which will mark Aguilera's first major role, will be directed by Steven Antin and produced by Donald De Line, Variety reports.

The film tells the tale of an ambitious smalltown girl, played by Christina, who heads to LA to find fame and falls in love.

"I couldn't be more excited, as this was a project written with her in mind," a spokesman for production company Screen Gems said.

The singer's only other movie credit was as a voice over artist for the animated picture, Shark Tale.

Filming on Burlesque is expected to begin later this year.

Christina Aguilera