Actress-turned-sailor Grace-Charis Effah, previously known as Belinda Effah, has shared her reasons for stepping away from Nollywood to pursue a career in the US Navy. In an interview with Saturday Beats, she revealed that she experienced an identity crisis and had difficulty finding purpose beyond acting.
In her words, “Before joining the Navy, I had become passive in acting. I felt stuck and wasn’t adding much value to the movie industry anymore. It all started feeling too routine; just another job for the pay. I wasn’t feeling the impact my movies were supposed to make, and I am driven by the impact I make. I didn’t want to be just another actress putting out films no one watched,”
She further explained that she initially joined the industry out of passion, it gradually became focused on money and this change left her feeling unfulfilled.
“I started losing myself in the characters I was playing. I didn’t know who I was anymore. Without acting, I had no identity. I had to go back to the basics and rediscover who I really am. It took me a while. Some people just noticed I was off the scene, but the truth is, I was away for over a year,” she said.
Reflecting on her transition to her new life, Effah said the navy had always been a part of her background. “I come from a Navy family. I went to Nigerian Navy School in Port Harcourt (Rivers State), and my dad retired as a Navy commander. So, this life resonated with me. Joining the Navy felt like a way to honour my father,” she stated.
She also confessed that the transition wasn’t easy, especially at her age. “It was a bit of a challenge because I had just turned 40. But here I am, living the dream of being a sailor. Life over here (in the US) is a different ball game entirely, and the opportunity really challenged me,” she said.
Her story serves as an inspiring reminder of the courage it takes to pursue one’s passion despite the challenges
