Alicia Keys thinks starting a family will be 'the most beautiful experience' she will ever have.

The 'Doesn't Mean Anything' singer – who got engaged to music producer Swizz Beats in January – can't wait to settle down and become a mother but admits there are lots of things she wants to do with her career first.

She said: 'I absolutely am very interested in starting a family. It is one of the most beautiful experiences to have in this life and I am looking forward to it when it is my time.

'I have a lot of things I still want to do. As far as retirement goes, I just wanted to have the ability, if I so choose, to be able to do so. But I fell that I am just getting started.'

In 2007, the 29-year-old beauty appeared in 'Smokin' Aces' and 'The Nanny Diaries', before working on the movie 'The Secret Life of Bees' in 2008.

Alicia would love to explore more acting possibilities and is desperate to write her own musical theatre production.

She explained: 'I love acting and producing, and I am developing some ideas for TV and film, and also for Broadway. I am excited about that. I really want to create a new musical. I think it's time.'