'X Factor' rejects District 3 admitted Nicole Scherzinger was "bang on" to describe them as less mature than fellow boyband Union J.
The trio - 18-year-olds Greg West and Micky Parsons and Dan Ferrari-Lane, 19 - left the ITV competition after being sent home by judges Nicole and Gary Barlow in the battle of the boybands in the sing-off.
Former Pussycat Doll Nicole had insisted Union J, who survived the showdown at District 3's expense, were "more mature and more ready".
District 3 with Louis Walsh on X Factor
Greg said the group agree with her assessment, saying: "The other guys' ages range from 19 to 24 and we're like 18 and 19. In that sense, she is bang on.
"So it is a big difference in a sense and they've got experience but for us this is really new. The X Factor has been our development stage and it's been a massive step from us rehearsing in our bedrooms."
His bandmate Dan added: "We've appreciated every minute of it and everyone in The X Factor team was so good to us."
The group, formerly known as GMD3, revealed they are "absolutely exhausted" but cannot wait to make their next moves in the music industry.
"We're really excited for the future and what the possibilities are," said Micky.
Greg added: "It is over for us in the sense of the competition but it's refreshing to know that it is just beginning for us for our career. As long as we're still making the music that we want to make and people are enjoying that in years to come, then we'll be happy."
They deny any rivalry with Union J, with Greg saying: "All the best for those boys. We're really behind everyone in the competition." Dan added: "They work hard, they're great boys."