By Ayo Onikoyi

Belinda Effah, now known as Grace Charis Bassey Effah, has made headlines for her striking career shift from Nollywood star to enlisted member of the United States Navy. But while her new path has surprised many, Effah has offered clarity about what her decision means for her acting career.

Responding to widespread media coverage about her “quitting Nollywood,” Effah explained that stepping away from acting isn’t necessarily a permanent goodbye.

“You know I have seen the media headlines about me quitting Nollywood to become a sailor. All I can say is once an actor, always an actor. I go with the flow. Change, as they say, is the only constant thing,” she said.

Effah acknowledged that acting demands undivided focus—“a very jealous venture,” as she put it—but emphasized that her creative spirit remains alive, even as she wears a new uniform.

“For now, I am charting a different course,” she added. “Who is to say what will happen tomorrow?”

Despite her current commitment to military service, Effah remains connected to entertainment. She revealed that a team of professionals is managing her YouTube page to ensure her audience still receives quality content.

Her decision to join the U.S. Navy is also a deeply personal one—an homage to her late father, who served as a naval commander in Nigeria. With this bold new chapter, Grace Charis Bassey Effah shows that identity can evolve, but passion never truly fades.