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 Deborah 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.