EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS - Newly-Named
X Factor Judge Cheryl Cole Is High-Steppin' Her Way Into Hollywood

She dated DWTS' Derek Hough; she signed with the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am and now she's joining the American X Factor judge's panel ... UK pop star Cheryl Cole is bent on "making it" in the United States!

X17 snapped these EXCLUSIVE shots of the former Girls Aloud singer leaving the gym Friday, just a day after it was officially announced she would join pal Simon Cowell as a judge on X Factor.

Cheryl's at the show's first taping right NOW at the Galen Center at USC in LA, along with the just-signed Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Steve Jones, and previously-announced participant L.A. Reid and their boss, Simon Cowell.

X17 will broadcast LIVE, online, from the red carpet at the show's first taping at noon PT today. Stay tuned!