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EXCLUSIVE: The hidden detail in Jesse Teinaki’s performance on The Voice

“These three little letters saved my life”
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Returning All Star Jesse Teinaki stole the show on Tuesday night’s episode of The Voice thanks to his four chair-turning rendition of Billie Eilish’s When The Party’s Over.

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WATCH: The Voice’s Delta Goodrem cries after Jesse Teinaki’s performance

But there was one hidden detail in his performance that most people would have missed, despite the important story behind it.

Eagled-eyed fans may have spied that Jesse had “MLB” written on his hand.

And during an exclusive interview with WHO, the singer reveals the significance behind the seemingly innocuous letters.

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The Voice Jesse Teinaki
The Voice’s Jesse Teinaki reveals the letters “MLB”, which he writes on his hand everyday, saved his life. (Credit: Channel Nine)

“Basically, MLB for me is the three little letters that saved my life,” the 28-year-old reveals.

“I was going through dark depression, I was suicidal, I was all of these things. It was a really tough time.”

Admitting that he struggled through this difficult period, Jesse explains that he used the letters as a coping mechanism to help him see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Jesse Teinaki
Jesse explains that “MLB” stands for “Make Life Better” and he uses it as a reminder to stay positive and chase life. (Credit: Channel Nine)

“I realised that where I was in life wasn’t good. ‘MLB’ stands for ‘Make Life Better’,” Jesse says.

“I write MLB on the back of my hand every single day so that everytime I look at my hand, I’d realise and it’d be a mantra kind of thing to pick myself up and push forward and to aim for the positive and really chase life.”

Jesse adds there are extra layers to the daily act that contain meaning for him.

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“There’s lot of hidden little metaphors. Every time it would fade away, I’d reapply the ink and that’s me re-instilling my faith in the idea that life’s going to be better and that good will come,” he says.

“I still write it on my hands each day.”

The Voice Jesse
Jesse stole the show with his performance of Billie Eilish’s When The Party’s Over. (Credit: Channel Nine)

The singer is back for round two on The Voice this year following his elimination in the Battles round last year, after taking on the late Natasha Stuart.

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Natasha sadly died in January this year following a two-year battle with cancer.

Jesse says that before her death, Natasha was instrumental in helping him through his mental health struggles.

 “Last year was a really crucial moment for me as a person because I was kind of growing out of a let’s say darker phase,” Jesse says.

“I talk about a lot of this in my blogs but I went through a lot of mental battles throughout the last couple of years and on The Voice last year it was me blooming into being open and being full as a human I’d say. Tash was really a special part of that. She showed me the beauty of connection.”

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Jesse Teinaki Natasha Stuart
Last year Jesse battled against the late Natasha Stuart and credits her for showing him the “beauty of connection”. (Credit: Channel Nine)

For Jesse, their Battle round on The Voice is something he’ll treasure for life.

“Honestly one of my favourite moments in my music career is having spent that time with her,” he says.

“And this is 100% coming from a whole-hearted place, I told her even after The Voice, that was honestly one of my favourite experiences that I’ve had and I’m just grateful I got to spend that with her.”

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