Paris Hilton wins musical role

Paris Hilton is to star in musical thriller Repo! The Genetic Opera.

The hotel heiress apparently beat more than 30 competitors at audition to win the part alongside Alexa Vega (Spykids) and Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas).

Her role will demand singing in styles from rock to opera and Hilton is said to have impressed with her vocal skills.

Darren Lynn Bousman, director, explained: "I have auditioned at least 30 actresses for this role - Paris came in and owned it. She is this role."

She said of the project: "I've been rehearsing every day, seven hours a day. We're just in the studio. We're doing dance and singing. We go shoot next month in Toronto... It's a very cool and unique project."