Mariah Carey wants Leona Lewis to play her

Mariah Carey wants Leona Lewis to play her in a musical of her life.

The 'Touch My Body' singer has reportedly agreed to see her story immortalised in a stage show in New York's famous Broadway district and is said to be particularly keen to have the British star take on the lead role.

A source said: "Mariah's not sure if she'll star in it herself. If she doesn't, names being tossed around include 'High School Musical' star Vanessa Hudgens and 'Desperate Housewives' actress Eva Longoria. But Mariah secretly likes the idea of Leona Lewis playing her.

"Not only is she exotic, she's the only one who they reckon would be able to tackle Mariah's eight-octave vocal range."

The 38-year-old star has been in negotiations about the musical project for several months but has only just agreed for it to go ahead, and theatre bosses are hoping to have the production ready later this year.

A spokesperson confirmed to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Mariah is in talks for a Broadway musical to be made about her life in 2009."

Mariah shot to fame aged 20 in 1990 and became the first artist to have her first five singles top the US Billboard 100 chart.

She married record company executive Tommy Mottola - who is 20 years her senior in 1993 - but they split in 1997.

The 'Fantasy' star suffered a rumoured breakdown in 2001, when she was admitted to hospital with emotional and physical exhaustion.

Earlier this year, the singer shocked friends and family when she married rapper Nick Cannon following a whirlwind romance.