I'll stand by you: Cheryl Cole faces her demons and flies back to Los Angeles - with moral support from Kimberley Walsh

By Jody Thompson

Last updated at 4:54 PM on 8th July 2011

She had kept a low profile to lick her wounds since she fled America following her shock sacking from the X Factor USA - but now Cheryl Cole has sensationally flown back to the States with Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh.

The girls were seen arriving at Los Angeles LAX airport last night and Cheryl had a massive smile on her face.

The defiant 28-year-old star was looking gorgeous in a Mongolian lamb waistcoat, jeans, black sandals and a blue T-shirt which she'd accessorised with a mushroom coloured handbag and beautiful big tortoiseshell sunglasses.

High flyer: Cheryl Cole was smiling broadly as she arrived in Los Angeles earlier today

Girls together: Cheryl jetted into LAX with her Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh

Firm friends: Cheryl kept a tight grip on Kimberley's hand as they arrived back in the U.S. - where the star had been humiliated just weeks ago

Kimberley, 29, meanwhile was in a multi-coloured print catsuit with a white belt and cream leather jacket, tan sandals and big black sunglasses.

As to the nature of girls' trip and whether it's business or pleasure, Cheryl's spokesperson told Mail Online: 'Cheryl is taking some time out as she said on her website last month.'
However, it's possible she could be househunting.
It was rumoured earlier this week that Cheryl has made a list of demands to ex Ashley Cole, 30, before they get back together.

Beaming: The star looked stunning in casual jeans and a Mongolian lamb waistcoat

Taking the lead: Kimberley took charge and lead her friend to their waiting car

It included a new family home - as well as an LA 'lovenest'.

However, Ashley remained in Britain as he is back in training at his football club Chelsea.

He returned to work with his teammates at the club's training ground in Cobham on Wednesday.

Cheryl was left humiliated when she was sacked from the U.S. version of the X Factor in May after just two weeks as a judge.

She was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger, who had been due to be a co-host on the series with Welsh hunk Steve Jones.

Producers were concerned her Geordie accent would be too difficult for an American audience to understand.

The devastated star immediately fled the States and hid out for weeks as she recovered.

Ill-fated: Cheryl, far right, with the original X Factor USA line-up of (L-r) Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger, LA Reid, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell in May

She was so furious with show boss Simon Cowell that she even turned down the chance to return to the UK version.

Since her sacking, she disappeared from public view, and only emerged again last week with a brand new lighter bobbed hairstyle.

And myriad rumours have swirled this week surrounding her apparently rekindled romance with ex Ashley after they made a public display of affection at her 28th birthday in London last Friday.

Some reports say they're back together on Cheryl's condition that her mother Joan Callaghan is allowed to move back in with them, whereas other say he's banned her as he blamed the marriage breakdown on her constant presence.

New look: Cheryl at her 28th birthday party at London's Sanderson Hotel last week where she cosied up with ex Ashley Cole

Cheryl and Ashley are rumoured to be in the process of setting up home again together again in the £6million mansion they once shared in Hurtmore, Surrey.

Chelsea player Cole, 30, was awarded the house after their divorce was finalised in October, while his former wife moved into a rented home in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire.

It's said that the Promise This star has also asked the England star to ditch his friends, who she deems as a bad influence, and has ordered that he check in with her twice a day on his mobile so she can keep track of his whereabouts.

Cheryl, who divorced cheating Ashley last September, is also said to want a top of the range recording studio, a secret exotic wedding, a luxury honeymoon, a ring 'that can be seen from outer space'.