In 2012 , Mauboy had a lead role in '' The Sapphires '' , a film based on the stage show of the same name . It was directed by Wayne Blair and also starred Mailman , Shari Sebbens , and Miranda Tapsell . Mauboy played the role of Julie McCrae , one of the four Indigenous Australian women who travel to Vietnam to sing for the American troops . Mauboy and the cast attended the film 's premiere at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes , France on 20 May 2012 . Upon its release in the US , Mauboy appeared on '' The Ellen DeGeneres Show '' on 18 April 2013 . Her performance in '' The Sapphires '' earned her the AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the Australian Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress . In September 2013 , Mauboy made a guest appearance as herself in the third and final season of the teen drama '' Dance Academy '' . In 2016 , Mauboy was cast in the lead role of the television drama series '' The Secret Daughter '' , which premiered on the Seven Network on 3 October . It was Mauboy 's first major TV role and was written especially for her . She portrayed the role of Billie Carter , a part-time country pub singer whose life changes after coming in contact with a rich hotelier . The role earned Mauboy her first Logie Award nomination for Best Actress , and the show was renewed for a second and final season in 2017 . Mauboy guest starred in the 2016 season finale of '' Home and Away '' as herself , where she performed at the Summer Bay Groove Festival
65th Annual Cannes Film Festival
2012 Cannes Film Festival
Jessica Mauboy