The singer, who triumphed with her band in last weekend's X Factor final, hails from South Shields - close to where the Girls Aloud star grew up in Newcastle.
"People keep telling me I'm the new Cheryl Cole," Thirlwall told the Sunday Mirror.
© PA Images / Ian West/PA Wire
© PA Images
"That's fine by me. Cheryl's an inspiration for all of us. She's beautiful and so talented. I met her when I auditioned for the show in 2010 and she was amazing. She's my idol.
"Well, Cheryl and Beyoncé are my idols. I was front row at a Beyoncé gig and she touched my hand once. That was the best moment of my life."
Leigh-Anne Pinnock added that Little Mix will start work on their debut LP in the new year, saying that they want to record an "urban and R&B pop album".
Little Mix recently met Spice Girl Emma Bunton at a Glamour magazine event.
Listen to Little Mix's winner's single 'Cannonball' below:
