Culture

Christina Aguilera Opens Up About Her 'Nashville' Role

Christina Aguilera appears on "Nashville" on the ABC Television Network.
Mark Levine/ABC

April 15, 2015, 2:57 PM

 -- Christina Aguilera hasn't appeared in a movie since the 2010 film "Burlesque," but starting tonight, she's dipping her toe back in the acting waters.

The singer has a big new TV role: She'll appear in the next three episodes of ABC's "Nashville" as Jade St. John, the ex-fiancee of former record label boss Jeff Fordham.

"Jade St. John is a pop star, but her first love is in country and she really wants to make a country album," Aguilera said. "And as she’s passing by town with her tour, she really takes the opportunity to sort of experience Nashville and make some contacts for herself. But really she’s just a huge fan of country and she just wants to dive right in."

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Aguilera's character gets involved in the relationship between two of the show's female characters: new mom and singer Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere, and up-and-coming singer Layla Grant, played by Aubrey Peeples.

"Jade takes Layla under her wing a little bit, and kind of plays the big sister to her and wanting to encourage her growth and coming up in the business," Aguilera explained. "And Juliette bullies her a little bit, and Jade steps in and kind of just sees an opportunity to sort of defend Layla and cheer her on. And that causes a little bit of tension between Jade and Juliette. ... Juliette definitely tells me where to go!"

Aguilera says that returning to acting makes her want to do more of it.

"It definitely stirs the bug a little bit to get back in it but I’d never do it just to say I’m doing acting," she said. "You know, I really do like to do characters that I can bring something to that I can discover maybe in myself."

"Jade definitely makes me discover a new side to who I am and what more I have to offer, even as an artist, crossing into a little bit of experimenting with country," she added. "So, it’s fun and it’s music and, you know, it’s all love."

Aguilera will cement her country credentials by performing this Sunday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards with country group Rascal Flatts.