The former `X Factor` judge caught the disease after visiting Africa last year with then-boyfriend Derek Hough, and although she was in hospitalised she insists it did benefit her as it made her focus more on the important things in life. She said: "It opened my eyes to health and things I hadn`t focused on before. It`s now less about work, work, work and more about taking time to chill and be with my friends and family." The 28-year-old singer was left bed-ridden by the effects of malaria and she has revealed the disease "ate away" her muscles and turned her complexion yellow. In an interview with InStyle magazine, she said: "I was yellow because of my kidneys - it was a bit like jaundice. It was hard to find a matching foundation, let me tell you! "I had to take good care of myself and I was told to stop exercising and to gain weight to get well. I just ate everything." Meanwhile, Cheryl is planning a girly holiday with her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding after the blonde star completes her rehab treatment in the US. A source told The Sun newspaper: "Cheryl has been there for Sarah massively. They`ve had some heartfelt conversations on the phone. Cheryl can identify with Sarah because she`s hit rock bottom in the past too. "It`s been a long time since they`ve spent real quality time together so they`ve decided to jet off for a break. They thought America will be best as they can slip under the radar out there. Obviously it will be a wholesome holiday."