Kelebek Leaves 'X Factor Australia' Group THIRD D3GREE

By Nick Roman ·

Rapper/singer Vanessa 'Kelebek' Skrypczak auditioned for The X Factor Australia last year as a solo artist, and made it through to Boot Camp before being subsequently cut. However, the judges decided she was too unique to let go, so they placed her in a group alongside fellow cut finalists Jacinta Gulisano and Jordan Rodrigues to form the group THIRD D3GREE. It was clear to the judges right away that Kelebek wasn't exactly happy about being put into a group, presumably because it corralled her individuality into a trio with two other very distinctive personalities. But the singer/rapper went along with it in order to advance...and they ended up being one of the best acts in the competition!

Credit: FremantleMedia Australia

Their chemistry and bombastic performance style carried them all the way to the semifinals, where they just barely missed out on an appearance in the Grand Final. However, things apparently haven't been great since then. Despite releasing a single since the show ("Different Kind of Love," they're proposed winner's single, which peaked at No. 22 on the Australian charts), in addition to a tour alongside fellow X Factor alums JTR, it appears Kelebek's heart just wasn't in it. The unfortunate announcement was made official via Twitter:

However, despite the departure of Kelebek, this will not mean the end of the group, as Jordan and Jacinta have decided to continue on regardless.

So there ya have it, THIRD D3GREE will be continuing as a duo, but under a different name. It seems like a solid idea, although part of me wishes they'd rope in fellow X Factor finalist Joelle, who seems like a perfect fit for the trio. However, regardless of what Jordan and Jacinta do in the future, it's hard not to feel bad for their plight. Granted, the writing was probably on the wall when Kelebek got her own, separate manager from the group. But still, this has to suck for Jordan and Jacinta, given the kind of natural chemistry they had with Kelebek as a trio.

I'm not sure what Kelebek's prospects are in the business as a solo artist, but I genuinely feel she'd have been better served launching a singles career off the back of an appearance in a successful hip-hop/pop group, sort of like Fergie. Going into the business as a relatively cold solo act doesn't seem like the wisest decision, although she may get a bit of a bump simply from her X Factor visibility. It's hard to know.

In memory of THIRD D3GREE, check out some of their best performances in this playlist below:

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