The glowing star was also looking truly back to health following her malaria ordeal last year, and has a fuller-faced look to match her early days in Girls Aloud, perhaps due to the addition of a few pounds.
Looking casual but stylish in mushroom-coloured jeans which were perhaps a little too tight, a chocolate brown belted shirt-style coat and matching lace-up high-heeled ankle boots, the singer bore a coy smile on her face as she went to board her flight.
Dancer Hough, 25, had flown to Britain last week as a romantic surprise for the 27-year-old X Factor judge - but it appeared his ploy hadn't gone according to plan when he was seen returning just five days later looking exceedingly glum.
Rumours at the time said Derek had issued the Promise This star with an ultimatum before he left, asking her to choose between him and her ex-husband, Ashley Cole, who she's said still to be holding a torch for.
But now Cheryl has followed almost immediately in his footsteps and boarded a flight from London's Heathrow to LAX.
It's just the latest twist in the pair's courtship, which they've never confirmed or denied, though both parties have left heavy hints that they are in fact in a relationship.
