Former Nollywood actress Grace-Charis Bassey, previously known as Belinda Effah, has revealed that she left the film industry to begin a new chapter as a sailor in the United States Navy.
Speaking with Saturday Beats, Grace Bassey disclosed that she faced an identity crisis and no longer felt satisfied with her career in acting.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Grace Bassey revealed that she initially entered Nollywood because of her love for acting, but over time, the emphasis on wealth and popularity made her feel disconnected and unsatisfied.
“I started losing myself in the characters I was playing. I didn’t know who I was anymore,” she said. “Without acting, I had no identity. I had to go back to the basics and rediscover who I really am.”
She shared that she had quietly withdrawn from the public eye for more than a year to rediscover and reconnect with herself.
Grace Bassey further stated that her choice to join the Navy was intentional and carefully considered.
“I come from a Navy family. I went to Nigerian Navy School in Port Harcourt, 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 said.
Although changing careers at 40 came with its difficulties, Grace Bassey expressed pride in the new direction she has taken.
“It was a bit of a challenge because I had just turned 40. But here I am, living the dream of being a sailor,” she said. “Life over here is a different ball game entirely, and the opportunity really challenged me.”
