Nollywood actress-turned-sailor Grace Bassey has opened up on the reason she left Nollywood to pursue a new career in the United States Navy.
TheNewsGuru reports that Grace during a recent interview disclosed that she felt a growing disconnect between herself and the industry that brought her fame.
“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 said.
She added that although acting began as a passion for her, but the profession gradually became more about financial gain than personal fulfillment.
“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 explained.
The 40-year-old further revealed that he decision to join the US Navy was deeply personal, rooted in her upbringing.
“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 said.
Despite her determination, Grace admitted that starting a military career in her 40s came with its own set of challenges.
“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 added.