Latest: Reported · . Tuaolo was seeking a Minneapolis location for 98 Hawaiian Grill and preparing to sell Mr. Aloha Sauces in local stores.
Esera Tuaolo reached the Playoffs on The Voice season 13 in 2017 with coach Blake Shelton and later received the NCAA Inspiration Award in 2024. The singer released the EP One Man’s Island in 1995. Tuaolo released the autobiography Alone in the Trenches: My Life as a Gay Man in the NFL in spring 2006. In January 2025, the singer discussed plans to release the Bryan Ruby song "Room for Love". Tuaolo founded 98 Hawaiian Grill, which was announced in March 2025 as operating at The House Food & Tap in St. Joseph, Minnesota. As of September 2026, the singer is reportedly seeking a Minneapolis location for it and preparing to sell Mr. Aloha Sauces in local stores.
The story so far
1995 to 2017
Early music, an autobiography and The Voice
Esera Tuaolo released the EP One Man’s Island in 1995 and the autobiography Alone in the Trenches: My Life as a Gay Man in the NFL in spring 2006. Tuaolo competed on The Voice season 13 with coach Blake Shelton in 2017 and was eliminated in the Playoffs.
Tuaolo sang the national anthem at NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA games.
2024 to 2025
The NCAA Inspiration Award and new music
Tuaolo received the NCAA Inspiration Award in 2024. Tuaolo discussed plans to release Room for Love, a song written by Bryan Ruby.
Now
98 Hawaiian Grill and Mr. Aloha Sauces
In March 2025, 98 Hawaiian Grill, founded by Tuaolo, was announced to be operating at The House Food & Tap in St. Joseph, Minnesota. As of September 2026, Tuaolo is reportedly seeking a Minneapolis location for 98 Hawaiian Grill and preparing to sell Mr. Aloha Sauces in local stores.
Round by round
The Voice season 13 · Eliminated in the Playoffs
- Went through
- Eliminated
Blind auditions ·
“Rise Up”
Two chairs turned: chose Blake
No clip found yet for this round.
Battles
“This I Promise You”
Won the battle
Knockouts
“Superstar”
Won the knockout
What the judges said
Jennifer Hudson praised Esera's soaring vocals.
Jennifer Hudson · mjsbigblog
No clip found yet for this round.
Playoffs
“How Do I Live”
Eliminated
What the judges said
Jennifer Hudson noticed Esera's pitch problems, especially early.
Jennifer Hudson · mjsbigblog
Music
Discography (2 releases)
| Title | Type | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esera | Other | ||
| One Man’s Island | EP | 1995 |
Awards and nominations (1)
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | National Collegiate Athletic Association | Inspiration Award | Won |
Wikipedia views
25,427 in the year to September 2026.
Personal info
- Also known as
- Esera Tavai TuaoloMr. Aloha
- Labels
- Live/Music Plant Group from 2013Republic Records from 2017
- Read more
- WikipediaMusicBrainz
The Voice season 13 finalists
- Chloe KohanskiWinner
- Addison AgenRunner-up
- Brooke SimpsonThird place
- Red MarlowTop 4
- Adam CunninghamTop 8
- Davon FlemingTop 8
- Keisha ReneeTop 8
Noah MacTop 8
Ashland CraftTop 10- Shi'Ann JonesTop 10
- Janice FreemanTop 11
Jon MeroTop 12
The Voice season 13: all finalists and their careers · Earlier rounds
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Read the storyPhoto credits (3 photos)
- Esera Tuaolo: Oregon State University · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo source · cropped.
- Sanjaya Malakar: TriviaKing at English Wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Hmwith at en.wikipedia . · Public domain · Photo source · cropped.
- Myles Frost performing with a microphone: u s department of state from united states · Public domain · Photo source · cropped.
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What the judges said
Jennifer Hudson praised Esera's high notes but noticed breath problems.
Jennifer Hudson · mjsbigblog