The Clique (duo)

Lore & Background

The Clique formed in 2014 after Kelebek left the group Third Degree, which had been created by judges on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia in 2013. The original trio—Kelebek, Jacinta Gulisano, and Jordan Rodrigues—had been put together at bootcamp despite initial reluctance, and they advanced to the live finals under mentor Natalie Bassingthwaighte. They were eliminated in the semi-finals after landing in the bottom two with Taylor Henderson.

Following the show, Third Degree signed with Sony Music Australia and released the single "Different Kind of Love," which peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart. After Kelebek's departure in March 2014, Gulisano and Rodrigues continued as a duo, changing their name to The Clique in May 2014. Their first independent single as The Clique, "Live the Life," was released on 12 June 2014.

The group disbanded in 2015 to allow both members to pursue solo careers.

Reader's Guide

The Clique represent a brief chapter in Australian pop music, emerging from the reality TV competition The X Factor Australia. Their significance lies in their transition from a trio formed by judges to an independent duo, and their disbandment shortly after. While their commercial impact was modest—their only charting single reached number 22—they illustrate the common trajectory of reality-show contestants who struggle to sustain momentum after leaving a major label. The group's legacy is tied to the broader story of Third Degree, which showcased the judges' ability to create a group from solo contestants and the challenges of maintaining group cohesion after the show ended.

Did You Know?

• The Clique were originally part of the trio Third Degree, which was formed by X Factor judges Ronan Keating, Dannii Minogue, and Redfoo.
• Third Degree's debut single 'Different Kind of Love' peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
• Kelebek left Third Degree in March 2014 to pursue a solo career, leading to the formation of The Clique.
• The Clique released only one single, 'Live the Life,' independently in June 2014 before disbanding in 2015.