Why this woman made us cry on The Voice last night...

Last night’s episode of The Voice was a particularly special one for Melbourne-based singer Beth Anderson.

The 30-year-old’s performance marked the first time she’d stepped behind a mic since her brother Kristian Anderson died of bowel cancer in January 2012.

You mightn’t recognise Kristian’s name, but there’s a good chance you remember the video he created for his wife’s birthday with the help of Hugh Jackman, which soon went viral. Oprah Winfrey was so touched by the ‘Rachel’s Birthday’ phenomenon she arranged to meet and interview Kristian during her Australian visit.

Kristian and Beth had been musical "partners in crime", and despite battling terminal illness for two years before it claimed his life, Kristian worked hard to produce his younger sister's debut album.

In the years since his death, Beth, 31, has struggled to return to her musical roots - until last night's performance, which she says "unlocked" something inside her .

Although her rendition of the Foo Fighters' Times Like These didn't inspire the show's four judges to spin their chairs, Joel Madden asked whether the song had special meaning to her.

Beth's response left no dry eyes across the country: "My brother was my musical partner in crime. I'm definitely singing from that place ... this is really special," she explained.

"This is actually the first time I've sung since my brother died."

And we all cried our collective eyes out. You did an amazing job, Beth.

Watch Kristian's Rachel's Birthday video here: