She couldn't have hoped for a better welcome.There were cries of: "We love you Cheryl!" and cheers from the crowd as Cheryl Cole arrived for her first day of her new job.
The Geordie beauty looked excited as she arrived for the first round of X Factor USA auditions in Los Angeles. Super styled - with bouffant hair and a bright outfit of purple Diane von Furstenberg trousers, an orange Oscar de la Renta top, and a turquoise belt - the 27-year-old was ready to face the cameras. Though her smile radiated confidence and ease, fellow judge Simon Cowell said of his good friend: "She's nervous, and so she should be." The music mogul - who has carved out a successful US career - said he had been in Cheryl's place himself, though. "When I came out here for the first time nobody knew who I was. I just said I'll do the job I'm being paid to do and hope it works." Simon was joined on the red carpet by the other female judge Paula Abdul, who gave him a warm hug as they posed together. The 51-year-old predicted rivalry between the two women. "You put pretty girls together it's like three cats in a sack, isn't it?" mused Simon, who revealed that Paula will be sitting next to him on the judging panel.
Completing the lineup is music producer Antonio 'LA' Reid, who told reporters he wasn't really familiar with Cheryl's music as he arrived. Audience members during the first day of auditions gave Cheryl the thumbs up. She is said to have started off quietly after telling everyone "you might have to bear with me on the accent".But the brunette beauty is said to have quickly warmed up, soon getting into a heated discussion with LA Reid over one contestant – persuading him to give the hopeful another chance. While Cheryl gets accustomed to her new role across the Pond, UK X Factor fans are still waiting to hear who will be filling her shoes at home. Simon Cowell is said to be on the verge of signing up Strictly's Alesha Dixon as a new female judge. Danii Minogue is tipped to return, joining Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow in the lineup.