Why I dumped Nollywood for the U.S. Navy – Grace-Charis Effah

Actress-turned-sailor Grace-Charis Effah, formerly known as Belinda Effah, has shared her reasons for taking a break from Nollywood to pursue a new career in the United States Navy.

In a recent interview, Effah revealed that she experienced an identity crisis and struggled to find meaning beyond 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. I wasn’t feeling the impact my movies were supposed to make, and I am driven by the impact I create. I didn’t want to be just another actress putting out films that no one watched,” she said.

Effah explained that although she initially joined the industry out of passion, it gradually became more about making money, which left her feeling unfulfilled.

“I started losing myself in the characters I was portraying. I didn’t know who I was anymore. Without acting, I had no identity. I had to go back to the basics to rediscover who I really am. It took some time. While some people noticed my absence, I was away for over a year,” she shared.

Discussing her transition into this new life, Effah mentioned that the Navy has always been part of her background. “I come from a Navy family. I attended Nigerian Navy School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and my dad retired as a Navy commander. So, this life resonates with me. Joining the Navy felt like a way to honour my father,” she stated.

She also acknowledged that the transition was challenging, 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 here in the U.S. is entirely different, and the opportunity has truly challenged me,” she said.