By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:39 PM on 8th May 2011
She's almost an unknown in the U.S., but Cheryl Cole has one unlikely fan.
Selena Gomez gave the newly announced X Factor judge's American dream a boost last night when she performed one of her songs during a gig.
The Disney starlet, who is dating Justin Bieber, declared she had fallen in love with Cole, before singing a cover version of her hit Parachute to a packed crowd of young fans.
I love Cheryl Cole! Selena Gomez on stage in Dixon, California on the first night of her new tour
Introducing the track, she said: 'When I was in London last year, I fell in love with a British artist. She is so cool - her name is Cheryl Cole.'This song that I'm going to perform for you guys, you might not know, but I feel like the lyrics are very beautiful. This song is called "Parachute".'
Gomez, 18, paid tribute to Cole during her concert at Dixon County Fair in California on Saturday night.
Big fan: Selena performs Cheryl's song Parachutes
Her cover of Parachute - the British singer's third solo single - came just 24 hours after Cole was confirmed as a judge on the U.S. version of X Factor.
The Girls Aloud star, who is relatively unknown in the United States, will appear on the show alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and a fourth judge who has not yet been named.
The singing contest will be presented by Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones.
Cole was not the only British singer Gomez honoured during her Dixon County Fair gig.
The Wizards of Waverly Place star also performed a cover of Jessie J's hit single 'Price Tag'.
Gomez wore a sparkly silver dress throughout her show, despite cool temperatures and strong winds.
'I have a sweater and a jacket but I didn't want to wear it,' she told her fans. 'I'll be cold for you guys because I want to wear this pretty thing.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1384834/Ive-fallen-love-Cheryl-Cole-Selena-Gomez-X-Factor-judges-biggest-fan.html#ixzz1LnuAUht3